Patent and Trademark Legal Experts to Offer New Online Certificate for Both Lawyers and Non-Lawyers

DETROIT, Aug. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law has recruited some of the nation's leading experts in intellectual property (IP) law to be instructors in a new online non-JD certificate program developed specifically to address the increasing demand on individuals and organizations to safeguard their IP assets, such as patents, marks, innovations, and artistic works.

The part-time, 100% online Certificate in Law - Intellectual Property program that begins October 1 and can be completed in one year will provide critical training for a range of professionals, including inventors, scientists, developers, engineers, designers, writers, and entrepreneurs, as well as those who manage intellectual property or cybersecurity, or work in the legal field.

"This program is ideal for anyone who is responsible for managing a brand, managing trademarks, patents, or copyrights, or even managing cybersecurity or trade secrets," says Wissam Aoun, Program Director. "Whether you are an inventor or entrepreneur or a member of a corporate team, this online certificate can help you advance your professional success."

Directing the program is Detroit Mercy Law International Patent Law Clinic Director and Associate Professor Wissam Aoun. Professor Aoun is an award-winning lecturer, having taught courses in patents, trademarks, copyright, and commercialization of technology, and has been named as one of the world's leading 300 IP strategists by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine in both 2017 and 2018. He has worked with the World Intellectual Property Organization, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the European Patent Office, and the Federal Circuit Bar Association on various collaborative research and clinical programs.

"We created this program," says Aoun, "in response to the growth in the intellectual property field in the past 15 years and the desire of professionals to learn about this important area of the law without having to obtain a J.D. degree." 

Instructing on Trademark Law, intellectual property attorney John Wright has worked as an Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Michigan, as well as at his own law firm, and presently practices with Burris Law, LLC. Wright has spent his legal career focusing on trademark, copyright, and business law, and supporting innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Kathryn Ossian, who will instruct on cybersecurity law, is the Principal and CEO of Ossian Law P.C., an information technology law firm. She has won many awards, including being named among the Best Lawyers in America, Information Technology Law, 2007- present; 2012 Detroit Information Technology Lawyer of the Year; Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2009-present; Information Technology/Outsourcing, 2007-present; and DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Information Technology, 2011-2014.

Instructing on patent law, Todd W. Dishman is a registered patent attorney with Brooks Kushman P.C., focused primarily on mechanical and electromechanical technologies. He has successfully represented clients in post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and has served as counsel on behalf of petitioners and patent owners in review proceedings. Dishman has extensive work in the automotive industry in both engineering and legal and is himself a named inventor for several patented innovations.

To complete the online certificate, participants take one seven-week course at a time, requiring two to five hours of total commitment per course, per week. Pre-recorded video lectures are available for viewing at the participants' convenience, course materials are provided online, and there are opportunities for real-time interactions with classmates, instructors, and special guest lecturers. The certificate can be completed part-time in a year (or longer if preferred). Special discounts are available for groups, federal or state employees, and active military. To learn more about the online program, visit http://lawschool.udmercy.edu/certificate.

About University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in Detroit, Michigan was founded in 1912. The School is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The Certificate in Law – Intellectual Property has received ABA acquiescence. The School's curriculum integrates theory, doctrine and practice through its nationally-recognized Clinical Program, Legal Writing Program, and Law Firm Program. Detroit Mercy Law's International Patent Law Clinic is certified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

For more information about Detroit Mercy Law, visit http://www.law.udmercy.edu/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Meghan Petiprin
Detroit Mercy Law Communications Specialist
(313) 596-9819
[email protected]

SOURCE University of Detroit Mercy School of Law