I regularly include a comparative perspective in the intellectual property classes that I teach, and so I was very excited when I was invited to teach an introduction to American intellectual property law in the American Law Studies program at the University of Warsaw School of Law. I taught the course during the two week period between February 19 and March 2, 2018. It was bitterly cold, especially to someone coming from the mildly-weathered Atlanta, but it was a terrific experience and well worth it.
The Center for American Law Studies has created an impressive, well thought-out, and successful program as evidenced not only by the rich choice of courses they offer but also by the number and quality of students participating in the program. I had about sixty students in my class, some of whom were practicing lawyers; some traveling great distances (one from Belgium!) to participate. I was impressed by the students’ level of engagement, their interest in the materials taught, and their Polish perspective on many of the issues we discussed in class. I was also impressed with their command of English, which they said was much improved by their participation in the program.
I should also add that I was heartened and moved by how welcome the students and program staff made me feel and by everyone’s hospitality. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage with the students after class, including in a student event in which I presented my research, as well as outside of the school over an informal dinner with students who wanted to hear more about studying and working in the United States and about my own past experience as an international student in the United States.
In the course I taught, I was aiming to give students tools for understanding the world of intellectual property in general and that of the United States in particular. Based on feedback I received (as well as the students’ performance on the exam) I can say that I have achieved that goal and that the students who took the class will be all the more prepared to understand intellectual property theory and concepts, and even venture into practice in this area, both in Poland and abroad.
In sum, I had a wonderful experience teaching in the University of Warsaw School of Law and very much look forward to returning to teach this and other courses in the future.
Professor Yaniv Heled, Georgia State University, College of Law