In March, Peter K. Yu, Regents Professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, joined Edward Kwakwa, assistant director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in the 10th Global Digital Encounter organized by FIDE (Legal and Business Research Foundation) and the Transatlantic Intellectual Property Academy. Professor Miriam Allena of Bocconi University in Italy moderated the event.

At the virtual encounter, which was accessible to over 600 network members and was subsequently made available online, Professor Yu explored the potential contributions of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals to the intellectual property system and the role intellectual property law and policy can play in promoting these goals. He also shared his views on the recent proposal by India and South Africa to suspend selective intellectual property obligations under the WTO TRIPS Agreement to help contain and treat COVID-19.

"It is a pleasure to join Edward and Miriam in this very timely digital encounter," said Professor Yu.

"Issues relating to intellectual property and sustainable development have never been more important. As we continue to combat COVID-19, there is also the inevitable debate about whether the intellectual property system needs adjustments during the global pandemic."

From the Office of the Texas A&M University Office of the Provost:

Three Texas A&M University faculty were selected for the 2021 University Professorship award, including Texas A&M Law's Nancy Welsh. University Professorships recognize faculty who have demonstrated significant and sustained accomplishments in their discipline and who have gained recognition both nationally and internationally. The award also acknowledges a commitment to inclusivity and diversity and excellence in teaching and service.

Texas A&M University became an ORCID member in 2013, as one of the first universities in the US to get involved with ORCID. This blog post is based on a presentation by Aaron Retteen, Digital Services and Repository Librarian at the Texas A&M University School of Law, from an ORCID US Community call on the topic of integrating ORCID into law scholarship workflows, which took place on April 28th, 2020. Notes and slides from the call are available. Many thanks to Aaron for sharing his experience! 

Texas A&M University School of Law and the Network for Justice host a series of webinars to examine pressing issues in social justice and the law, particularly as they impact the Latinx community. The first, Moving Forward Post-Insurrection, is Thursday, February 11 at 12 noon CST.

Saurabh Vishnubhakat, professor of law at Texas A&M School of Law, has some suggestions for the Biden-Harris Administration on science and technology policy, especially diversity in the U.S. innovation system. Vishnubhakat contributed to the Day One Project’s Transition Document for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a policy memo with over two dozen actionable recommendations for the nation’s innovation agency. The memo was jointly authored by a select group of academics, current and former government advisers and other policy experts.

Texas A&M Law Professor Malinda Seymore wanted to introduce two of her online-only courses to students registered for the spring in a way that was both encouraging and entertaining.

“Students who have not experienced online learning can be a little wary, worrying that it will be dry and dull, simply a static recording of a classroom lecture,” Seymore said.

The two courses, Evidence and Criminal Procedure Trial Rights, cover the gamut from indictment to bail, plea-bargaining, trial procedure, punishment to post-conviction relief, as well as admissibility of evidence and practical skills for presenting a compelling, persuasive story to a jury.

As part of an ongoing pursuit to improve the health of every child, Cook Children’s Health Care System is joining forces with Texas A&M School of Law (TAMU Law) to create a new medical-legal partnership. The mission of this collaboration is to provide free legal services to patients and families with legal needs that directly affect their health and access to medical care.

Despite a recognized need, the majority of families at Cook Children’s are unable to access legal services. Social workers at the medical center are often contacted by patient families who have been unsuccessful in qualifying for public benefits, obtaining a guardianship for their incapacitated adult child or communicating with their landlord to remediate unsafe housing issues. These social, economic and environmental factors have a direct impact on a child’s health.

Matt Pellegrino, Facilities Manager, Texas A&M University School of Law (left) and Eric Baze, Security Account Manager, Allied Universal Security Services (right)

At the 99th annual meeting of the American Branch of the International Law Association on October 24, two professors at Texas A&M University School of Law were elected Branch leaders. Professor Peter Yu was elected one of the Branch's vice-presidents, and Professor Charlotte Ku was elected to the Board of Directors.

Founded in Brussels in 1873 and currently headquartered in London, the International Law Association (ILA) is the preeminent international non-governmental organization involved in developing and restating international law. It has 60 branches and around 4400 members.

Texas A&M Law Professor Brian Larson and University of Kansas colleague Genelle Belmas published a chapter together in a timely collection on live streaming.