The George Washington University Law School has been a leader in intellectual property education and scholarship for more than a hundred years. When GW Law established a Master's of Patent Law program in 1895, its alumni had already written the patents for Bell's the telephone, Mergenthaler's the linotype machine, and Eastman's roll the film camera, among hundreds of other inventions, and dozens of more alumni had worked in the Patent Office.

In today's global, information-based economy, it is more important than ever to acquire a sophisticated understanding of intellectual property (IP) law. Whether you pursue an IP career, own a start-up, or are involved in crafting IP or technology policies for your country, our uniquely designed Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property will prepare you for the complex and ever-evolving IP and technology law landscape. The IP LL.M. degree is designed for students who already hold a J.D. degree or a first law degree from a non-U.S. law school. This degree targets practicing attorneys, U.S. law school graduates, and international law students, including those wanting to sit for the Texas ​Bar ​Examination.

The LLM in Intellectual Property program provides up-to-date instruction in such areas as biotechnology law, Internet, and software law. Students delve deeply into the areas of patent, trademark, and copyright law; draft agreements and litigation documents, and learn negotiating tips and strategies.

The LLM program in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law is a unique program that combines the classic study of intellectual property rights with the rapidly emerging field of information technology law. Students study fundamental and advanced intellectual property rights issues in copyright, patent, and trademark law and also learn about issues that lie at the heart of today’s digital information society, such as cybercrime, e-commerce, information privacy law, and Internet law.

As a law school graduate or lawyer from the U.S. or abroad, you can expand your understanding of the law of copyright, patents, trademarks, and related issues with a degree in the Intellectual Property Law track

With new technologies and social practices giving rise to new intellectual property issues, leading-edge training in IP law and related practice techniques is necessary to keep up and advance in the fast-moving, competitive world of intellectual property.

This unique program combines the classic study of intellectual property rights with the rapidly emerging field of information technology law.

The LL.M. program offers several different study options. Candidates may specialize in government administration and regulation, health law, intellectual property law, or international law, or may design a course of study other than those specialized programs. The school offers an LLM in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law, offered completely online, allowing international students to take the courses from home.

Protect Innovation. Technological innovation drives today’s economy and transforms our lives. Lawyers make this progress possible by protecting inventors and creators and ensuring that they share in the benefit of their innovations.

Designed for the U.S. and foreign lawyers, students learn from industry and scholarly experts at the forefront of the field, all from the comfort of their own homes. Become an IP expert and see what the world holds for you.