New Bill Would Require Federal Government to Respect State Marijuana Laws

A new bill introduced on April 22, 2015 (HR 1940) would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act and require the federal government to respect state laws that have ended prohibitions on marijuana. Under this bill, federal agencies would be required to refrain from prosecuting individuals and businesses who are in compliance with state marijuana laws, such as California’s Compassionate Use Act. For more information about the bill, go to www.congress.gov and type HR 1940 in the search box on the home page. You can also use this site to request email updates about developments with the bill, using the “get alerts” link on the page for the bill.

Supreme Court to Hear Argument Regarding Same Sex Marriage This Week

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument on April 28 in four consolidated cases challenging state bans on same sex marriage. The consolidated cases will be decided under the name Obergefell v. Hodges. The Court will be releasing audio of the oral arguments the same day, which will be available through a link on the home page of the Court’s website, www.supremecourt.gov.  Briefs filed in the case, analysis of the briefs and other commentary about the case can be found on the Court’s blog at http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/obergefell-v-hodges/?wpmp_switcher=desktop.

 

Free Intellectual Property and Licensing Workshop

Intellectual Property and Licensing Workshop

Friday, April 24, 2015 

Host: Kamala Janiyani, UC San Diego

Organizer: San Diego Center for Systems Biology

Interested in Intellectual Property? Attend this free workshop on Intellectual Property and Licensing at the San Diego Center for Systems Biology in La Jolla on Friday, April 24.

This workshop will bring together intellectual property professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students to discuss the recent developments in the area of intellectual property and licensing.

In the first half of the workshop, talks will focus on the challenges of patent reform, recent Supreme Court cases, patent trolls and impact of patent reform on the technology commercialization. Intellectual property experts will share their thoughts on these topics in depth. There will be a short panel discussion to address the questions associated with patent reform and initiatives being taken to improve patent quality.

In the afternoon session, experts will discuss the technology licensing, commercialization, start-ups and contract agreements. Each presentation will be followed by a Q&A session to discuss the topic in depth. Following the talks will be a hands-on patent searching workshop. Personal laptops required.

For more information and to register go to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/intellectual-property-and-licensing-workshop-tickets-15878065722

Library Week Prize Winners!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Library Week survey and trivia game. The prize winners are:

Scott Dailey – Westlaw Goodie Bag
Alyssa Cejka – Lexis Study Aid
Laura Rose Mattheis – Lexis Study Aid
Victoria Knott – Lexis Study Aid

Library Week Survey and Scavenger Hunt – Reminder

Reminder – Friday April 17, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for students to participate in the survey on library services and scavenger hunt, as part of our Library Week celebration. You can find the anonymous survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2F3SKWV, and game cards for the scavenger hunt on the Fourth Floor near the reference desk. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win a goodie bag from Westlaw or one of three study aids from Lexis!

Happy Library Week!

Happy Library Week!

We will be celebrating National Library Week at the TJSL Library this week with a few events. On Monday, 4/13, at 2:00pm in the library lobby, please join us for cake to celebrate both National Library Week and Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. While you’re there, take a look at our display of U.S. currency featuring Thomas Jefferson, generously on loan from Professor Steve Semeraro.

Starting on Monday and going on all week, there is a scavenger hunt open to students. A correct entry in the scavenger hunt enters you to win a goodie bag from Westlaw. Game cards will be available at the Circulation Desk on Monday.

Also starting on Monday and lasting all week, we will have a student survey on library services. After completing the anonymous survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2F3SKWV you can enter to win one of three prizes of a gift certificate for a free Lexis study aid. Thank you for helping us improve our Library services!

American Bar Association Membership is Free for Students

Did you know that students at ABA accredited law schools are eligible for free ABA membership? Member privileges include access to the ABA job board, career advice webinars, member discounts and more.

For more information see this article from ABA Journal.