Understanding IP Matters: ‘AI Adoption Moves at the Speed of Trust

“The future of IP lies in getting the rules of AI right. And the rules of AI lie in getting IP right.” That was one of the key themes from my recent conversation with Bruce Berman on the Understanding IP Matters podcast, produced by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU). We explored how IP leadership means being ahead of the curve, setting the agenda rather than following it. I discussed how technologies like AI and blockchain will gain broad acceptance only when they become “invisible” to users. Trusted tools that power creativity and commerce behind the scenes. We also touched on global perspectives. China’s IP ecosystem, although imperfect, is rapidly expanding, with state-backed incentives driving patent and trademark activity that now surpasses the U.S. in some areas. By contrast, some Western companies like Microsoft have learned that embracing IP and regulation can strengthen innovation and trust. Finally, I emphasized the importance of keeping copyright and patent thresholds low so that innovators everywhere can participate. “If the threshold is so high that you don’t know whether you can get protection in the first place,” I noted, “capital will flow to jurisdictions that do.” Catch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk4avdppH0s&t=1s IPWatchdog, Inc feature here: https://ipwatchdog.com/.../understanding-ip-matters-ai.../ Penn State Dickinson Law

Exploring Pathways to Publication with Oxford University Press

Exploring Pathways to Publication with Oxford University Press

Building Bridges in Beijing

[Building Bridges in Beijing] Dean Danielle Conway, our colleague, Jing Hu, and I recently had the opportunity to represent Penn State Dickinson Law in deepening ties with leading Chinese universities in Beijing. At Renmin University of China, we met with Dean Yang Dong and Associate Dean Ding Xiaodong, where we signed a cooperation agreement and explored opportunities for student exchange, faculty collaboration, and joint research initiatives. Renmin became the first institution of higher legal education in the People's Republic of China and is well known as the "cradle" nurturing China's most outstanding jurists. We also participated in Renmin's forum of law school deans and jurists on "Rule of Law Forum in the Era of AI." (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/daryllimpsu_honored-to-join-dean-danielle-conway-in-representing-activity-7379873239642071040-oXnu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAHATWQB-pkPwHfotg5EgiwjDM9F4KIy_Pw) At China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), we engaged with Executive Dean Yang Xiuqing, Associate Dean Yu Wenxuan, and Associate Dean Zhu Xiaojuan of the School of Civil, Commercial, and Economic Law. Our discussions focused on strengthening mutual understanding, expanding dual-degree pathways, and launching new academic initiatives. At Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Dean Ding Xiaochun, Director Huang Lin, Professor Leu Russell, and their colleagues welcomed us to discuss collaborative programs, student mobility, and innovative exchanges that will benefit both institutions. We were also joined by an BFSU student, Han Yihao, who had just completed his LLM at Penn State Dickinson Law. These conversations reinforced our shared commitment to preparing students for a future shaped by global interconnection.

Penn State Dickinson Law at Renmin Forum: Global Conversations on AI, IP, and Legal Education

Honored to join Dean Danielle Conway in representing Penn State Dickinson Law at the Fourth 21st Century International Forum of Law School Deans and Jurists at Renmin University of China in Beijing. Dean Conway joined fellow deans from around the world in the Deans’ Forum: Legal Education in the Era of AI, while I contributed to the International Forum on Emerging IP Issues in the Age of AI. These conversations highlighted how legal education and research can meaningfully engage with the transformative challenges of artificial intelligence. The forum brought together an extraordinary group of leaders, including: John Armour (Faculty of Law, University of Oxford), Louise Gullifer (Cambridge Faculty of Law), William Alford (Harvard Law School), Guobin Cui (Tsinghua University), Ignacio Tirado, Secretary-General of UNIDROIT - International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, senior representatives of UNESCO. It was a pleasure to reconnect with colleagues we met earlier this week in Chongqing and Beijing, including the President of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Lin Wei, and the Dean of Beijing Foreign Studies University Law School, Ding Xiaochun. We were also delighted to meet Singapore Management University School of Law Dean Pey Woan Lee at the event. Dean Lee and her colleagues hosted the Penn State delegation when we visited Singapore last year. Events like these reinforce Penn State Dickinson Law’s commitment to advancing global legal education and ensuring that our students and scholarship remain at the forefront of debates on AI, intellectual property, and the future of the rule of law.

Strengthening Global Partnerships in Legal Education: SWUPL

[Strengthening Global Partnerships in Legal Education] The Penn State Dickinson Law delegation, led by Dean Danielle Conway, was honored to meet with colleagues at Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) in Chongqing, China. SWUPL has 25,000 students enrolled across its programs and partners with 45 law schools in the US alone. We learned that SWUPL students had to undergo a competitive internal selection process, as Penn State Dickinson Law was a popular choice for applicants. This is a credit to the efforts of colleagues like Stephen Barnes and Jing Hu, who do important stewardship work, as well as faculty and staff. Since 2016, we have had 30 LLM students and 17 exchange scholars. We had the opportunity to meet with SWUPL's leadership team, including President Lin Wei. Our discussions with Vice President Prof. Wang Huaiyong, Prof. Li Mankui (Director, International Cooperation and Exchange Office), Prof. Zhang Bo (Vice Dean of School of Economic Law), Prof. Hu Chengsheng (Vice Dean of School of Administrative Law), Prof. Luo Can (Vice Dean of School of AI Law), and Li Muzi (Program Coordinator) centered on deepening collaboration in teaching, research, and student exchanges. Highlights included: - Expanding faculty and student exchanges across J.D., LL.M., and Ph.D. programs - Joint research initiatives in areas such as AI law, economic law, and administrative law - Opportunities for study abroad, non-degree programs, and joint academic events - Building platforms for collaborative publications and knowledge-sharing - Exploring pathways for our students to gain exposure to US and Chinese law as well as global perspectives We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with SWUPL, one of China’s leading law schools, and to opening new doors for our students and faculty to learn, teach, and innovate together.

Penn State Dickinson Law Visits East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) and Hosts Alum and Friends Reception in Shanghai

[Penn State Dickinson Law Visits East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) and Hosts Alum and Friends Reception in Shanghai] Dean Danielle Conway, Director of International Graduate Programs Jing Hu, and I had the pleasure of meeting with ECUPL's Professor Han Yichou (Deputy Director of the International Exchange Center & Associate Dean of the International School), Professor Zhang Lijun (Deputy Director of the International Exchange Center & Vice Dean of the International School), and Ms. Hu Shuangsang (Head of the Project Section of the International Exchange Office). Our discussions included an MOU to expand bilateral student exchanges. Penn State has has hosted 17 exchange scholars and 36 LL.M. students from ECUPL. We also explored ways to deepen faculty collaboration, including opportunities for Dickinson Law faculty to teach at ECUPL as short-term lecturers (from three weeks to a semester), and shared our own S.J.D. program. ECUPL introduced its four-week summer program that is open to our J.D. students, further broadening the possibilities for our students’ global learning experiences. This partnership builds on ECUPL’s leadership in legal education and its commitment to cultivating globally competent students. We look forward to expanding our collaboration in the years ahead. While in Shanghai, we were also honored to host a Penn State Dickinson Law alumni and friends reception, bringing together graduates to reconnect with one another and with the law school. It was inspiring to see our alumni community thriving in China and continuing to carry forward the Dickinson Law tradition of leadership and service.

Penn State Dickinson Law in Singapore

[Penn State Dickinson Law in Singapore] Our delegation, consisting of alumni, faculty, and staff, recently had the privilege of engaging with some of Singapore’s leading public and private institutions at the intersection of law, innovation, and dispute resolution. Singapore Land Authority (SLA) Director Siang Larng Foo and her colleagues introduced SLA’s cutting-edge initiatives, including the National 3D Mapping Program, the Digital Conveyancing Portal, and innovations in property registration and state land management. Zhen Hao Ng Sea We visited Sea Ltd., Singapore’s largest consumer internet company and parent of Shopee, Garena, and Monee. Chief Corporate Officer Yanjun Wang and her team spoke with the delegation about Sea's remarkable social mission to connect local entrepreneurs and consumers in underserved markets. Robert Williams Allen & Gledhill LLP We enjoyed an informative discussion with Head of Intellectual Property Co-Head Cybersecurity and Data Protection Practice Partner Dr Stanley Lai, SC, Head of Technology & Corporate Intellectual Property Practice Tham Kok Leong, and their colleagues. Topics included a detailed demonstration of A&GEL, their custom AI knowledge management system, and new internship opportunities. Gloria Goh Jia Yi Toh (杜佳怡) David Lim Linda Shi (师沛凤）Vaibhav Nag Justin Tang Wan Lin Liew Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) We met with Registrar Crystal Tan and Director Natalie Choo, gaining insights into SICC’s role in international commercial dispute resolution and its forward-looking agenda. Potential future collaborations include those with the Singapore Judicial College. A special note of thanks to Crystal for graciously inviting our delegation to the launch of Charting New Waters: The SICC after Ten Years at the Asian Civilisations Museum. It was an honor to attend an event graced by Minister Edwin Tong SC, with Chief Justice Menon and Justice Jeyaretnam sharing their insights on the future of commercial dispute resolution. These conversations underscore the shared commitment between Penn State Dickinson Law and Singapore’s institutions to deepen ties across education, innovation, and practice. Along the way, we celebrated delegation member Josh Trego’s birthday Singapore-style with longevity peach buns, and are deeply appreciative of Dr. Stanley Lai for graciously hosting us to dinner. Grateful for the warm hospitality and excited for the opportunities ahead! #PennStateDickinsonLaw #IP #Arbitration #Mediation #Innovation #GlobalEngagement

Penn State Dickinson Law in Singapore: Building Bridges in IP & Dispute Resolution

[Penn State Dickinson Law in Singapore: Building Bridges in IP & Dispute Resolution] Our delegation had the privilege of engaging with four of Singapore’s leading institutions in intellectual property and dispute resolution: Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) – We were honored to meet with Chief Executive Kong Hwee Tan and his leadership team, including Mark Lim, Trina Ha, Alfred Yip, Kitt-Wai Kok, Gabriel Ong, Mei Lin Tan, and Sandy Widjaja. We reviewed recent and upcoming joint projects and explored new areas of collaboration for next year. Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) – Director Swati Jhaveri, Deputy Counsel Xuanzhong Wang, and Senior Manager Ameline Ho hosted us for an engaging exchange on arbitration developments, ongoing collaborations, and new opportunities for Penn State students to learn through internships. Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) – Registrar Benatt Lee and Director for Strategic Partnerships Siong-Koon Sim shared SIMC’s initiatives and areas for collaboration in mediation, including its cutting-edge AI platform, MAIA. WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO ADR) – Representative Caleb Goh introduced WIPO ADR work in innovation and dispute resolution. We saw firsthand WIPO's robust partnerships with Singapore institutions. These conversations reaffirm the value of global partnerships in shaping the future of legal education. They lay crucial relational foundations to connect our students, faculty, and alumni with institutions at the forefront of dispute resolution. We continue to expand horizons, strengthen professional networks, and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration across borders. A heartfelt thank you to all our hosts for their generosity of time, insights, and partnership. #PennStateLaw #GlobalPartnerships #LegalInnovation #DisputeResolution #IntellectualProperty

Penn State Dickinson Law’s 2026 Delegation Visit to Singapore Begins

[ Penn State Dickinson Law’s 2026 Delegation Visit to Singapore Begins!] We were honored to start our journey at the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL). With its leadership in professional development, legal technology, and dispute resolution, SAL represents the kind of forward-looking partner that makes Singapore a global hub for the law of the future. For US readers, SAL performs some functions of The American Law Institute, Practising Law Institute (PLI), Lexis Nexis, and more. Details here: https://sal.org.sg/. Meetings like these inspire us to think in new ways about how legal education can better prepare the next generation of lawyers to lead in a rapidly changing world. A special thank you to: -Mr. Zee Kin Yeong, Chief Executive, for introducing SAL’s mission and impact. -Mr. Mark Fisher, Deputy Executive Director, Asian Business Law Institute, for sharing SAL’s approach to orchestrating meaningful law reform. -Ms. Xiao Wen Tan, Senior Deputy Director, Learning & Professional Development, for her insights on professional training and innovation. -Mr. Kevin Kwek, Chief Executive, Singapore Mediation Centre, for highlighting Singapore’s leadership in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. #PennStateDickinsonLaw #SingaporeAcademyofLaw #GlobalPartnerships #LegalInnovation #DisputeResolution Danielle Conway Tom Pease Josh Trego Noreen Tama #JudgeMinora Meggie Ho

Strategic Partnerships: Penn State Dickinson Law’s Global Imperative

[Strategic Partnerships: Penn State Dickinson Law’s Global Imperative] At Penn State Dickinson Law, we know that the future of law and technology is being shaped across borders, and that strategic partnerships are essential to ensuring our community is part of that conversation. The value of these partnerships may not always be immediately visible. Like any true investment, their impact unfolds over time, shaping our teaching, scholarship, and, most importantly, the future of our students and our institution. They allow us to bring real-world insights directly into the classroom, where students encounter the law not only as doctrine but as practice unfolding in real time. Strategic partnerships open doors: front-row seats at internationally renowned conferences, bespoke internships abroad, and delegation visits that refresh bonds between alumni and their alma mater and expand professional networks with institutional partners. This is why we must continue to build. I invite colleagues, alumni, students, and partners to join us in forging these bridges. Together, we can prepare tomorrow’s lawyers not just to adapt to change, but to lead it—and ensure Dickinson Law remains at the forefront of global legal innovation.