The Intellectual Property Law Section writing contest was established in 2004 to provide an opportunity for second- and third-year law students to express in writing their insight and knowledge in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or trade dress. As a tangible incentive, the section established a set of cash awards for the winners.
The annual competition is open to all law students enrolled in any law school in the United States who intend to take the Pennsylvania bar exam.
A panel of qualified judges selects the winning submission based on content, quality and relevance to intellectual property law. The requirements for entry are as follows:
Contest Rules
- Submissions must be the unpublished and original creation of the entrant. The entrant must be a law student enrolled in any law school in the United States and who intends to take the Pennsylvania bar exam.
- Submissions should be between 4,500 and 6,000 words (not including footnotes).
- Please also include a statement describing your plans after graduating from law school and passing the Pennsylvania bar exam.
- Submission deadline is: February 28, 2025
- Submission of the paper as a .pdf file is required. Submissions must include the name, address, telephone number, law school and employment information (if applicable).
In addition to the cash award of $1,000 the winning entry will also appear in one of the PBA’s upcoming newsletters and on the Section page of the PBA website. The winning entrant will also be invited to participate in a meeting of the Section to present a brief summary of their winning entry.
Past Winners