US university launches STEM-focused IP institute

The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law is planning to launch an intellectual property institute designed to provide expertise and training in areas related to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Enrollees at the institute will gain practical legal experience by helping review patents at the US Patent and Trademark Office that are seen as potentially disruptive to business.

The institute will work initially with industries in North Carolina and will later expand across the country to help to improve patent quality and protect organisations’ IP.

Also, the institute aims to recruit STEM students with diverse backgrounds to enable them to pursue IP careers; provide practical experience; improve training for law graduates and promote a quality patent system.

Phyliss Craig-Taylor, dean of the NCCU School of Law, said: “NCCU’s law school is committed to providing education and training in emerging areas of legal practice.”