Patent and Licensing Clinic

The clinic involves instruction and practical training in patent drafting, negotiating and drafting of patent and software license agreements, as well as current legal issues impacting patent licensing and enforcement.

Students will participate in class sessions covering these topics and will be assigned to one or more significant drafting and counseling projects in one or more of these areas.

The clinic also covers evaluation of inventions and computer software for patentability and commercial value; counseling of UVA faculty inventors regarding patentability, inventorship, licensing, and the patenting process; preparation, filing and prosecution of U.S. patent applications; dealing with patent examiners; and researching current issues in the fields of intellectual property and technology transfer. 

Some exposure to international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty may be possible.  Resolution of disputes with licensees and possible infringers will be undertaken where appropriate. 

A technical background is preferred (such as defined as eligibility to sit for the patent bar or patent bar registration). Students are asked to submit an application to the instructor with a statement relating to technical, industry, and legal background and employment experience. Patent is a co-requisite or prerequisite.

Advanced Patent and Licensing Clinic

Students wishing to extend their clinic experience beyond the first semester may enroll in the Advanced Patent and Licensing Clinic (a two-credit course) after successful completion of one semester in the Patent and Licensing Clinic. 

To be considered for this clinic, students must both rank the clinic in the clinic lottery and submit application materials within the timeline set by the Student Records Office. Students selected for the clinic through the clinic application/lottery process will be automatically enrolled prior to the regular course lottery.

The positions that the clinic takes on behalf of its clients are independent of the views of the University of Virginia or the School of Law.

Remote video URL
Skills Taught
Drafting and filing patent and software license agreements, counseling clients, research
Grading
Letter grade
Course Credits
3 (2 for advanced clinic in spring)