UA School of Law’s Intellectual Property Program gets an ‘A’

The University of Akron School of Law’s Intellectual Property (IP) program was awarded a grade “A” rating in The National Jurist’s preLaw Magazine for Winter 2016. It is the highest grade possible, ranking among only 28 other schools in this category.

Akron Law’s IP program received the “A” because of the breadth of its curricular offering and for attaining each of the following benchmarks:

• Concentration in IP
• Supporting a clinic
• Externships
• Center that facilitates the study and advancement of IP
• Certificate in Intellectual Property

Intellectual property refers to original creations of the mind, such as inventions, symbols and images. Akron Law’s IP program prepares students to deal with legal issues involving trademarks, patents, copyrights and much more. The program also offers ongoing interactions with lawyers, authors and inventors to help students develop their skills in law and begin building their careers.

Areas of specialization within IP

“Our program prepares students by first introducing them to the foundational concepts and building blocks of the intellectual property system,” explains Ryan Vacca, director for the Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology. “Then we build on this foundation by letting the students study advanced topics in the areas of IP that they want to specialize in for their future practices.”

Akron Law’s IP program is one of the most comprehensive Intellectual Property programs in the county. It offers more than 20 courses, such as Licensing Intellectual Property, Cyberlaw and Sports Law. Akron Law also offers a Master of Laws in IP, which can be completed in just two semesters, and a joint program involving IP that can be finished within three years. In addition, Akron Law also offers a Certificate in Intellectual Property for non-lawyers, such as engineers, paralegals, or those whose jobs require, or would be enhanced, by a basic understanding and knowledge of IP concepts.

Akron Law was also recently ranked in the preLaw Magazine issue as the seventh-best law school in the country for preparing students in a career as a public defender or prosecutor. 

 Story by Julie Mullet

Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.