In partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Southern University Law Center’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Clinic has reached a significant milestone successfully issuing 22 licenses to students, authorizing them to practice before the USPTO. With this achievement, students have further demonstrated their commitment to innovation and access by publishing their first clinic lecture guide, now available to fellow clinics and students at no cost.
This spring, clinic students have engaged in a wide range of impactful legal matters, sharpening their skills while serving clients in meaningful ways:
Privacy & Publicity Review: Advanced Clinic II students conducted an in-depth legal review for a published author, assessing content for potential privacy and publicity risks.
Startups & Social Impact: Students counseled a software developer creating an app for survivors of sexual violence and harassment, addressing complex concerns such as improperly executed employment agreements and incomplete business formation.
Patent Assistance: The clinic is currently reviewing a new playpen prototype submitted by an inventor seeking patent protection.
Trademark Strategy: A local barber received a comprehensive trademark clearance report, including compliance insights, while a Mardi Gras umbrella designer was advised to cease infringing activity involving unauthorized use of copyrighted content.
Nonprofit & Student Entrepreneurs: The clinic supported the GU272 Descendants Association with trademark and copyright matters and advised a Southern University Baton Rouge student developing a college marketplace app in preparation for pitch competitions and investor meetings.
One notable highlight this semester was the opportunity for students to respond to a final refusal from a USPTO trademark examiner. The students drafted a formal response, which will be filed in May. Once submitted, the brief—bearing the students’ names—will become a publicly accessible part of the USPTO’s official record. These filings often serve as standout writing samples for job interviews, and impressively, the clinic has never lost a trademark matter before the USPTO.
In recognition of the graduating student attorneys who have contributed to this impactful work, the Technology and Entrepreneurship Clinic hosted a heartfelt reception following its Pro Bono Clinic Day. During the event, students offered valuable guidance on intellectual property, compliance, and business structure to local entrepreneurs. While the consultations were initially non-client based, the clinic identified two standout groups and welcomed them as full clients: a nonprofit organization led by the family of beloved SU football coach Sean Wallace and a local roofing and construction company.
Through hands-on experience, community service, and an unshakable commitment to justice and innovation, SULC’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Clinic continues to prepare students for successful legal careers while serving the broader community.
To learn more about our Tech Clinic, contact Marina A. Biragova, executive director, managing attorney at mbiragova@sulc.edu.
Original source can be found here.