Akron Law to Present a Seminar on How Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks Can Help Businesses and Exports

Akron, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2008 - The University of Akron School of Law with the cooperation of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Cleveland, will present a half-day program on Monday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. describing how Northeast Ohio businesses and exporters can protect their patents, copyrights and trademarks in the United States and overseas markets.

The program will provide basic information on intellectual property (IP) and how businesses can exploit it in local, regional, national and international markets. The course is designed primarily for businesses that have not yet established IP programs and procedures. It will cover what IP protects, how to secure protection at home and abroad, and important pitfalls and opportunities in IP law. It will also describe the assistance the United States Commercial Service offers small businesses in finding foreign customers and business partners and beginning export trade, and programs to assist U.S. companies to protect their intellectual property rights in foreign markets.

The program will be held at the Sheraton Independence Hotel, 5300 Rockside Road in Independence, Ohio. The registration fee is $50 and includes a continental breakfast. Call 330-972-7988 or e-mail sfauppe@uakron.edu to register.

The University of Akron School of Law boasts a nationally renowned Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology. A recent study in IDEA, an intellectual property journal, ranked the School of Law's IP program's course offerings as tied for fifth in the nation. Its LL.M. program is one of only 22 in the country. To learn more, visit www.uakron.edu/law.

The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. It is the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Serving 24,700 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu.