The Patent Law Clinic is a yearlong clinic, providing 2L and 3L students an opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and practice patent law before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Students work with an experienced patent attorney to consult with clients, conduct prior art searches, draft patentability of inventions reports, determine patent application strategy, submit applications, respond to patent examiners, and provide related client counseling associated with patent applications and their prosecution. In addition to their casework, students attend an hour and 40-minute weekly seminar in which students learn the skills necessary to represent clients before the USPTO, discuss developing changes in patent law and how it affects Patent Law Clinic matters, as well as discussing broader policy issues associated with patent law in the United States when compared to other industrialized countries.

This upper-level clinical course provides doctrinal instruction in the field of patent law and a hands-on experience in representing entrepreneur clients with their inventions and ideas for new products. Students should expect to spend approximately 16 hours per week on their fieldwork and seminar.

Approved for Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application and interview are required, and the application can be found in the Student Resources on the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: IP/Copyright and Trademark; Media, Entertainment, Sports, Fashion; Tech/Privacy; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Intellectual Property Law.

If taken as a co-requisite, the course should be taken concurrently with the clinic in the fall semester. Requirement may be waived by clinic faculty.

8 Credits: Full Year Course
Fall: 4 credits
Spring: 4 credits