The Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic will provide Penn State Law students an opportunity to gain practice-ready skills in intellectual property law. Under the clinic director, students will provide legal services to the clinic’s clients in much the same manner as practicing IP lawyers.

Students in the clinic will engage in client intake and interview, patent and other intellectual property searching and evaluation, client communication, docketing, and filing applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Clinic students will learn the basic skills necessary to interact with clients of the clinic and prepare PTO documents under the supervision of an experienced attorney qualified to practice before the USPTO. They will participate in both individual client matters as well as policy matters with respect to the protection and enforcement of IP. They will also participate in research and advocacy on current IP policy topics in access and appropriation. 

Students will adhere to standard patent law office practices such as conflict checks, maintenance of strict confidentiality, docketing, and time-recordation, and will learn and conform to the professional responsibilities of lawyers engaged in IP transactional practice as well as the Rules of Ethics of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The clinic will meet as a weekly class to discuss current client cases, intellectual property law in practice, ethics, and special projects. In addition, students will meet once weekly in live client situations performing client intake, IP evaluation, and counseling. Students will also meet individually as necessary with the clinic director regarding the representation of particular clients and special projects.

Faculty approval required.

Client Application

Student Clinic Application