Logistics:

Date: April 10th 

Time: 9:30am Coffee and Pastries  

9:50am Opening Remarks

10:00am-11:00am- First Panel  Trademark 

11:15-12:15pm- Second Panel  Copyright 

12:30-1:00pm Lunch 

1:00-2:00pm- Third Panel Patent 

Location: AUWCL's Campus- Warren Building NT01 Ceremonial Classroom

Attendance: Mandatory for IP Brief members 

The IP Brief Symposium brings together legal scholars, practitioners, and students to explore how intellectual property law is adapting to rapid technological, commercial, and global change. This year’s symposium examines the evolving boundaries of trademark, patent, and copyright law as innovation increasingly challenges traditional legal frameworks. Through three focused panels, the Symposium will address how IP law can protect creativity, promote innovation, and serve the public interest in a world where lines between authorship, branding, and access are increasingly blurred.

Branding in a Blurred World: Trademarks, Influencers, and Brand Protection Through IP

• Joined by: Riva Smith, Shelby McGowan, and Shana Olson

As brands expand into digital, virtual, and hybrid marketplaces, the lines between authorized use, imitation, and infringement are increasingly difficult to draw. This panel explores how companies and creators can protect trademarks, trade dress, and brand identity in an era shaped by influencers, online platforms, and rapidly evolving consumer engagement. Panelists will examine enforcement strategies against unauthorized uses, the legal risks and benefits of influencer marketing, and how brand owners can balance innovation with maintaining control and integrity over their intellectual property.

Patent Policy Crossroads: Access, Innovation, and the Global Health Pipeline

• Joined by: Annie Scrimenti, Peter Maybarduk, and Claire Fundakowski 

Patent systems play a critical role in shaping innovation in the life sciences, but they also raise complex questions about access, equity, and global public health. This panel examines how domestic and international patent regimes attempt to balance incentives for research and development with the need for affordable access to essential medical technologies. Panelists will discuss the impact of patent policy on healthcare equity, the challenges of coordinating patent frameworks across borders, and emerging policy approaches aimed at aligning innovation incentives with global health goals.

Copyright and the Legal Boundaries of Derivative Works in the Age of AI

• Joined by: Robert Kausnic, Christopher Suarez, and Rachel Kim 

As artificial intelligence increasingly generates images, music, and text that resemble existing works, copyright law faces renewed pressure to define the boundary between inspiration and infringement. This panel explores the traditional doctrine of derivative works and its modern implications in the context of AI-assisted creation. Panelists will examine how courts interpret what it means for a work to be “based upon” a protected work, the role of termination rights and existing derivative exceptions, and the U.S. Copyright Office’s evolving approach to AI authorship. The discussion will consider how copyright law can protect creators while still allowing artistic freedom and technological innovation to thrive.