
california's silicon valley
Session 1: July 18-21
weekend SESSION: July 22-23
Session 2: July 24-27
Welcome to IPSI - the Intellectual Property Summer Institute hosted by the world-renowned Intellectual Property law school, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and co-sponsored by the premier patent licensing firm, Marconi. This year, we will be hosting IPSI in California's Silicon Valley!
What is IPSI?
IPSI provides students and lawyers with a unique opportunity to access world-class faculty, researchers, and industry professionals and learn about today’s trending topics in intellectual property to stay in the know and ahead of the curve.
What You’ll Experience
- Engage with industry leaders at Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 firms and our expert faculty and alumni as they give you an insider's look into the future of IP.
- Participate in professionalism events with in-the-trenches leaders from different companies and firms all over the world.
- Immerse yourself in the art and science of the study of IP by taking a “deep dive” into cutting-edge topics that are changing the way we interact with the world.
What You’ll Learn
Sessions 1 and Session 2 offer classes in two tracks: Broad Topics and Deep Dive Topics. Students are welcome to mix and match the courses to reflect their academic and professional interest. Between Sessions 1 and 2, we offer a special weekend class between focused on geographic indications and wine, including a field trip to Napa/Sonoma.
How do I register?
For professionals seeking IPSI courses as non-degree participants:
For University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law students:
For law students from other law schools:
We will follow up with a registration form and answer further questions you may have.
ASIPI Scholarship Opportunities
UNH Franklin Pierce is proud to enter into an exclusive agreement with the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI) that will launch intellectual property leaders across Latin America through an educational partnership and scholarships for ASIPI members. Our IPSI program will be offering 3 full tuition scholarships every year from 2023-2028.
Check out our new class offerings!
- Session 1 - July 18-21
- 9 AM - 12PM
- Broad Topics Track
- Professors George Pullen and Samson Williams
LBC 905 (01) - Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & the Law | UNH Course Search
This course will introduce students to the core concepts, history and legal implications, of blockchain's distributed ledger technology, cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin, Ethereum etc.), smart contracts, and decentralized applications (a/k/a dApps).
Intellectual Property monetization
- Session 1 - July 18-21
- 9 AM - 12PM
- Deep Dive Topics Track
- Professor Ilkka Rahnasto
-
LGP 990 (03) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
IP is monetized by companies in very different ways in support of the company’s business model. This class will explore how companies leverage their intellectual property assets to further those business goals – whether it be the open market of buying and selling assets, patent pooling and other platforms, bi-lateral licensing, and cross-licensing and other risk mitigation activities. This course will discuss the strategies employed, legal risks and benefits, reputational risks, and cultural differences in approaches both in the US and internationally.
intellectual property management
- Session 1 - July 18-21
- 1 PM - 4PM
- Broad Topics Track
- Professor Robert O'Connell
-
LIP 928 (01) - Intellectual Property Management
Intellectual Property (IP) Management is intended for third year law students as a "capstone" course building on IP courses taken in the second and third years of law school. It is a practical, hands-on course designed to bridge academia and real-life private or corporate practice and is meant to provide the IP professional with a solid foundation in proactive counseling in the area of intellectual property. Exemplary topics include invention harvesting or extracting; invention records and disclosures; inventorship and ownership issues; laboratory notebook practice; patent searching; criteria and procedures for determining type of IP protection, particularly whether to file for patent protection or maintain as trade secret; trade secret policies and protection; IP education; IP audits and due diligence investigations; outside submissions; trademark practice (searching and clearance); international filing considerations, agreement practice, and other aspects of corporate IP management including understanding, developing, executing and/or managing IP strategies, IP committees, and IP budgets consistent with overall business objectives
Intellectual property licensing
- Session 1 - July 18-21
- 1 PM - 4PM
- Broad Topics Track
- Professor Jenna Matheny
LGP 990 (02) - Law Special Topics
The subject of the course will focus on an in-depth review of different types of intellectual property agreements, considerations for drafting, and strategies for negotiations. Students will be able to take away practical knowledge for drafting and negotiating intellectual property agreements.
the space economy, deep tech, and beyond
- Session 2 - July 24-27
- 9 AM - 12PM
- Broad Topics Track
- Professors George Pullen and Samson Williams
-
LGP 990 (04) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
The Space Economy is the 2nd course of a two-part series designed to be taken together or separately. Students interested in understanding the nexus of Blockchain and The Space Economy are strongly encouraged but not required to take the first course (either from a previous offering or last summer's IPSI), as some assumptions will be made by the instructors about the learners' general level of understanding of topics in blockchain and economics.
The first course (Week One) is the update of last summer's ISPI course to bring into the curriculum recent developments and activities in the blockchain and crypto industry since last summer. Since last summer, the value of the crypto industry has been approximately halved from $2T to $1T. Several technological advancements have occurred, along with numerous new multi-million dollar frauds and hacks.
data as an asset
- Session 2 - July 24-27
- 9 AM - 12PM
- Deep Dive Topics Track
- IP Center Executive Director and Professor Micky Minhas
LGP 990 (05) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
Data is often referred to as “the new oil” – while unrefined it holds no value, properly gathered and used it powers entire industries. The collection, use, and marketing of personal data is one of the most significant resources of our time. This course will explore the various legal regimes that apply to regulate data, including privacy, property, and security, and where there are gaps and overlaps. The course will discuss how the use of data as an asset is treated at the local, national, and international level, and what conflicts and public policy questions result.
advanced patent licensing
- Session 2 - July 24-27
- 9 AM - 12PM
- Deep Dive Topics Track
-
LGP 990 (06) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
Patent licensing is the most common form of sharing technology in ever crowded product spaces. This course takes a deep dive into the structure, clauses, must haves and pitfalls of contractual arrangements needed for inbound licenses to ensure freedom of operation, and outbound licenses in support of royalty bearing agreements. The course will discuss how to negotiate license agreements on both the licensor and licensee side, including practical tips for drafting and business strategies, and address best practices.
cannabis and intellectual property
- Session 2 - July 24-27
- 1 PM - 4PM
- Broad Topics Track
- Professor Shabnam Malek
LIP 924 (01) - Cannabis & Intellectual Property | UNH Course Search
Cannabis (marijuana) is listed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and the possession, sale, and use of marijuana remains unlawful at the federal level. Meanwhile, cannabis legalization is sweeping the nation on a state-by-state basis. This federal and state divide presents unique challenges to businesses serving patients and consumers in the cannabis industry and the lawyers who advise them. This one-unit course will provide an overview of the current state of the cannabis industry, identify key legal and business challenges, and explore how lawyers are helping their clients address these challenges. The course will lay the groundwork for the type of issue spotting and creative thinking required to navigate the legal and business landscape of this emerging legal field.
worldwide patent litigation
- Session 2 - July 24-27
- 1PM - 4PM
- Deep Dive Topics Track
- Professor Arvin Patel
LGP 990 (01) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
Patent litigation has different rules in different countries. Increasingly we are seeing disputes involving multi-national companies have simultaneous lawsuits in different parts of the world, involving both damages and injunctive relief. Patent litigation successes and failures have significant leverage in determining the resolution between multinational companies.
This course will explore different legal frameworks for patent litigation in different parts of the world, with a particular focus on the US, Europe, China, India, Brazil and Colombia. By the end of the course, students will understand the significant aspects of each countries’ laws, and will explore how damages, injunctive relief and validity determinations differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Students will experience this firsthand by hearing from litigation experts from around the world with the opportunity for interaction and engagement. Students will also understand the particular policy issues and differences between the US and other regions.
US GEOGRAPHIC indications and wine
- Weekend Session - July 22-23
- Broad Topics Track
- Dean and Professor of Law Megan Carpenter
- This is a special weekend class focused on geographic indications and wine, including a field trip to Napa/Sonoma
LGP 990 (10) - Law Special Topics | UNH Course Search
Geographical indications (GIs) are place names that are used to identify products that come from a particular location, which has unique qualities that come from that region. The term is often applied to wines and spirits, as well as cheeses and other agricultural products. GIs can have a significant commercial value. GIs have the strongest legal protection in Europe; the United States has a different (and less robust) system for GI protection.
This course will explore the legal framework protecting GIs in the United States, with a particular focus on wines of Napa and Sonoma. By the end of the course, students will understand the concept of GIs and terroir, and will explore how geography and climate, as well as weather and winemaking techniques, contribute to the overall product of wines. Students will experience this firsthand on location and hear from wine experts and winemakers on these issues, with the opportunity for interaction and engagement. Students will also understand the particular policy issues and differences between the US and other regions

Meet Your Academic IP Leader
Micky Minhas, JD/LLM '97
Director, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property
Micky Minhas is Senior Vice President at the Marconi Group, an intellectual property licensing and investment firm based in Dallas, Texas. As part of the Marconi management team, he plays a vital role supporting Marconi’s vision of transforming the fundamentals of intellectual property licensing through providing better ways to share patented technology.
Before joining Marconi in March 2020, Micky was Chief Patent Counsel for Microsoft, managing the Microsoft patent group since 2012. Micky managed a team of over one hundred patent professionals who were primarily responsible for outbound and inbound intellectual property licensing, patent strategy, patent acquisitions and divestitures. He also managed patent preparation and prosecution of patents and was responsible for Microsoft’s conflicts, indemnification and prelitigation practice. During his time, Microsoft had a significant patent licensing business resulting in significant revenue for the company, as well as placement of Microsoft products on Android based mobile devices.

Prior to Microsoft, Micky served for 13 years as Vice President of Intellectual Property Strategy at Qualcomm in San Diego, California. There, Micky was responsible for establishing the company’s 4G patent portfolio as well as intellectual property aspects of Qualcomm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. As part of his time with Qualcomm, Micky was based in Munich, Germany where he managed the company’s patent opposition practice.
Micky holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University (’89), an MS in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University (’93) and a JD and LLM from the University of New Hampshire School of Law (’97), where he continues to work as the Director of the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property.
Need more information? Contact us at ip.center@law.unh.edu
FAQ
All sessions will be held in-person in the San Francisco Bay area.
Session 1: July 18-21
Weekend Session: July 22-23 (US Geographic Indications & Wine)
Session 2: July 24-27
Gain expertise in a specific area of the law from experts in the field which will allow you to standout in the marketplace and make connections in the industry. Each class is 1 credit for students enrolled in our degree programs.
- Students taking courses for credit can find pricing at https://www.unh.edu/business-services/tuitlaw
- US participants taking courses not-for-credit will be charged $750 per course.
- International participants taking courses not-for-credit will be charged $500 per course.
Attendees are responsible for all travel and lodging costs associated with attending IPSI. IPSI courses will be held in the Palo Alto/Mountain View Area.
Travel
Attendees may fly into either San Francisco Airport (SFO) or San Jose Airport (SJC). Attendees should allow sufficient travel time to arrive at the start of class, and remain through the scheduled end of class.
Lodging
Based on research into hotel rates and attendees' individual preferences, the law school has not reserved room blocks. Attendees may make reservations as they find appropriate. Here is a listing of local hotels and housing opportunities.
Palo Alto
Menlo Park (nearby Palo Alto)
Mountain View
Home/Alternative Stays
Classroom Location
Week 1 (07/18-07/21): Sheppard Mullin at 1540 El Camino Real, Menlo Park CA 94025
Week 2 (07/24-07/27): Fenwick & West LLP at 801 California St, Mountain View CA 94041
Weekend Course: (Transportation will be offered for this class)
- Day one: Napa Valley Wine Academy, at 2501 Oak St in Napa.
- Day two: Law firm, Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, at 1500 First St, Suite 200, in Napa.
