Introduction to IIPSJ at HUSL by Kurt L. Schmoke Dean of Howard University School of Law

The development of the Institute of Intellectual Property and Social Justice (IIPSJ) is consistent with the tradition of the Howard University School of Law to produce lawyers as social engineers.  It is also in line with the goal of Howard University to nurture leaders for America and the global community.

Early in the 20th century graduates of Howard demonstrated to the world the power of creative ideas and the need to protect those ideas.  Professor Alaine Locke edited a book entitled, The New Negro in which he chronicled the outpouring of artistic achievements of African Americans in literature, music and theater.  Other historians wrote of African American achievements in scientific invention and business application.  Those ideas were having a transformative impact on American life and culture.  A sad aspect of all that intellectual activity was that in far too many cases, the ideas were not properly protected.  The concept creators did not become the primary beneficiary of their creations. 

Important lessons were learned from those 20th Century experiences.  The faculty and the social engineers being trained at the Howard University School of Law recognize the need to develop expertise in the ever evolving field of intellectual property rights.  Because of the IIPSJ, those who generate marketable ideas and those who seek copyrights, patents, franchises and licenses will have well trained advisors, advocates and defenders.  These are the social engineers of the 21st Century.

May 2005

About IIPSJ, Inc., and IIPSJ at Howard

Howard University School of Law is a leading advocate for human and civil rights. IIPSJ at Howard embodies that leadership in the area of intellectual property by examining and seeking to use intellectual property and intellectual property law to advance social justice in the United States and the global community.

IIPSJ's social justice focus derives from the social policy objectives that underlie intellectual property protection, i.e., the stimulation of creative efforts and the broad dissemination of the benefits of that work. IIPSJ is particularly concerned with furthering these objectives incommunities traditionally underserved and underrepresented in intellectual property ownership, exploitation, and use. Among the social justice concerns are disparity of access to and exploitation of intellectual property and information technology as well as the related, ongoing problems of institutionalized racial and economic inequities. Through IIPSJ at Howard, IIPSJ emphasizes the leadership role of lawyers, particularly corporate and commercial attorneys, in addressing and redressing these matters.

Among IIPSJ's major initiatives are:

• Developing and disseminating ideas regarding the appropriate balance of protection and use of intellectual property
• Working to increase the awareness of practicing attorneys of the social justice dimensions of intellectual property through various activities including in particular continuing legal education seminars
• Working to increase the number of minority lawyers in the intellectual property bar by sponsoring internships, by intensive mentoring, by designing and implementing an appropriate IP curriculum, and by supporting other student efforts
• Sponsoring and conducting scholarship on aspects of intellectual property that impact social justice
• Educating creators of intellectual property about how to protect their rights

History of IIPSJ

The Institute of Intellectual Property and Social Justice at HUSL was created in the summer of 2001 as a vehicle to effect social justice in the field of intellectual property. Its first major initiative was to create the Institute of Intellectual Property and Social Justice at Howard. (IIPSJ at Howard is the first institute created within the law school).  It was the brainchild of Prof. Lateef Mtima who is IIPS at Howard's first Director.  Working closely with him throughout the process was Prof. Steven Jamar who is IIPSJ at Howard's first Associate Director. IIPSJ, Inc., is an independent nonprofit corporation established in 2007 to support IIPSJ at HUSL and other programs relating to IP and social justice.

Last update: March 11, 2008