Department of State Visitors - Intellectual Property Rights

Rochester provides a variety of resources for those interested in exploring issues concerning Intellectual Property Rights. Developing technology, such as the internet, has made this topic one of prime concern for corporations who operate on multinational levels as well as for universities and for not-for-profit institutions.

Xerox and Eastman Kodak are companies with worldwide business operations whose major offices are located in Rochester. Members of the Xerox Intellectual Property Operations staff and of the Xerox Intellectual Property Law Department are available to discuss concerns of protecting the company’s inventions and images around the globe. The Kodak Patent Legal Staff can present information about specific examples of recent problems involving theft of intellectual property, and they can discuss law enforcement follow-up when such incidents occur.

Intellectual property issues at the university level are of major concern at two important educational institutions in Rochester. At the Rochester Institute of Technology, Marjorie Zack (Director of Grants, Contracts and Intellectual Property) has helped to develop policies which balance maintaining the rights of the researchers with protecting the interests of the university or companies which provide funding. Members of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Rochester also provide information about issues of intellectual property rights, particularly where technology is concerned.

The staff of the International Museum of Photography and Film at the George Eastman House notes problems of sharing photographic images in view of emerging technology and current copyright concerns. This not-for-profit institution, known around the world for its collection of nineteenth century still photographs and for its growing accumulation of twentieth century moving pictures, is eager to share its acquisitions but must conform to legal restrictions of many types.

Several local law firms are developing expertise in Intellectual Property Rights. Nixon Peabody LLP, with recent expansions into several eastern states, specializes in working with intellectual property issues for many Rochester companies. Jeffrey Newman, an attorney with Remington, Gifford Williams and Colicchio, LLP, is an adjunct faculty member of the Eastman School of Music and instructor of law courses for a local writers’ association; he has worked with composers, authors, and artists who are interested in both sharing and protecting their work, particularly in light of recent advancements in digital technology.

Rochester International Council
Morey Hall, Room 229, University of Rochester Rochester, NY 14627 USA
phone (585) 275-8779 fax (585) 756-8086 e-mail: jw@rifc.org
Office Hours: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday,
closed Thursday