The Intellectual Property Law Section of the D.C. Bar is comprised of lawyers in private, public, and corporate practices. The section provides a forum for addressing intellectual property law issues that affect individuals, small businesses, corporations, and public policy.
The section is led by a steering committee of elected members which meet once a month to discuss recent programs, developments, and future events. The diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints among the leadership and membership have resulted in a dynamic and participatory section.
The section has standing committees chaired by members appointed by the steering committee in the following areas of interest: patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, legislation, community outreach, and the section newsletter. The standing committees organize and sponsor numerous programs throughout the year on topics of general interest, current issues, and practice tips. CLE credit is available at a number of these programs. Each program provides a unique opportunity to hear speakers share their expertise at a reasonable price. As one of the largest and most active sections of the D.C. Bar, the section sponsored or cosponsored more than 25 programs in the 1997-98 Bar year.
In addition to the wide variety of programs presented every year, the section sponsors a perennial favorite at the D.C. Bar Winter Convention with its "Fundamentals of Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law" program for general practitioners. In addition to this widely attended program, the section typically presents at least one more program of special interest at the annual winter convention. This year the section is holding a program on legal issues related to the use of e-mail.
The publicity arms of the section—the newsletter and section’s Internet website—provide the latest information on intellectual property law developments in the courts and administrative tribunals, timely reports on legislation and general information regarding section and D.C. Bar activities.
The section’s Community Outreach Committee has a history of creating and coordinating innovative programs that reflect its deep commitment to the welfare of the District of Columbia and its residents. To this end, the section has been involved in judging D.C. public school science fairs, matching computer donors with recipients in the D.C. public schools, holding book drives, and promoting literacy programs and participating in community clean-up and restoration efforts.
Join the Intellectual Property Law Section.
