Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law

Are Neanderthal genes patentable? May a fan write Harry Potter 8? Could Amazon.com shut down Amazon Books, a women’s bookstore? Is there copyright in a student’s class paper? Could a new rapper style herself M&M without infringing on the other rapper or the candy in a wrapper? This “friendly introduction” to the legal complexities of intellectual property is an written especially for undergraduate students whose future careers will intersect with IP: an ideal resource for classes in business, engineering, technology students, computer design, biotechnology, design and computer graphics, architecture, and many more. As evidenced by the multitude of examples discussed and illustrated in this textbook, intellectual property has some bearing on nearly every area of life today. Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law covers the legal issues, of course, but it is equally about authors, artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs – and how intellectual property law affects them. The authors, both experienced law school professors who regularly teach IP law and related topics, give the lay of the land by examining the fundamental pillars of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, along with more far-reaching topics. They use entertaining examples and provocative questions to explain the precepts and encourage more exploration. Not meant to be a book for lawyers or law students, it skips fine distinctions and heavy legalese. For the many students and professionals whose career intersects with IP issues, this is an accessible, accurate, and thought-provoking introduction to a complex yet fundamentally important subject.