In today’s competitive business world, entrepreneurs can face a variety of legal questions when it comes to protecting their original ideas and work, also known as intellectual property (IP), from unauthorized use.

To help answer some of those questions, the West Virginia University College of Law is hosting a free IP seminar for business owners, inventors, consultants, students and lawyers on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Featuring patent attorneys and other experts, the seminar will be held from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom.

The seminar’s keynote speaker is Craig Morris, managing attorney for Trademark Outreach at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. Presenters include experienced IP attorneys Dusty Gwinn, Monika Jaensson and Michael Smith, and WVU Libraries patent and trademark librarian Marian Armour-Gemmen.

Attendees will also learn from numerous entrepreneurs as they share stories about the creation and protection of their company’s IP.

The seminar is being organized and hosted by the WVU Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic, which provides legal advice to start-up companies, small businesses, non-profits, and individuals.

“Supporting West Virginia’s entrepreneurs and helping them grow the state’s economy is of vital importance to our future,” said Nancy Trudel, interim director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic. “We’ve designed this intellectual property seminar to help lay the groundwork for success by addressing key issues faced by business owners and their advisors.”

For more information or to register for the seminar, contact Angie Haught at 304.293.7249 or email angie.haught@wvulaw-eilc.net.

-WVU-

jj/10/20/15

CONTACT: James Jolly, College of Law,
james.jolly@mail.wvu.edu, 304.293.7439

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