We help to set and implement IP strategy, which might involve drafting contracts, filing applications, or designing a protection plan. If you would like more information about the other clinics and what kinds of clients they serve, please refer to our clinic homepage.

You will meet and work with one or more law student counselors, operating under the supervision and license of an attorney member of the Pennsylvania Bar.”

All the work is completed pro bono (for free). You will only pay for any required government fee (for example, if we file a trademark or patent application for you).

The DIPTC is located within the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School in west Philadelphia. The entrance to the Clinic is at the corner of Sansom and 34th Street.

Simply complete the online application. Once you fill out and submit an application, our administrative office will begin to review it. You should receive a confirmation of receipt at this point. IMPORTANT: The confirmation of receipt only means that we are considering your application. Unless we call you to schedule an appointment and sign paperwork with you to establish you as a client, we will not begin doing your legal work.

You will hear from us at the beginning of September (Fall Semester) or at the beginning of January (Spring Semester) that either i) we would like to schedule a meeting with you; ii) we cannot take on your case; or iii) we would like to hold on to your application for further consideration.

We apologize if we cannot take on your case. We have both an educational mission and a mission of community service, so certain kinds of cases are not possible or appropriate for our model. In addition, your needs must align with the abilities of the students in any given semester. You can increase the likelihood that we can take on your case if you provide specific and detailed information in your application, and if you apply once you are considering a pressing rather than a potential concern.

When we call to schedule a meeting between you and your Student Counselor, we may ask you to bring certain documents with you that will help us to better understand your case. At the initial client meeting, your Student Counselor will ask you to fill out certain forms about the representation. After the meeting, if we both decide that we can represent you as a client, your Student Counselor will send you an engagement letter that outlines the work we will do for you. Once you sign and return this engagement letter, we will start your work.