Hi Guys
I am an IP lawyer - If you had a choice - which of Columbia, Cambridge or Harvard would you attend to become a better IP lawyer. Many thanks

Columbia. In Cambridge there are two IP courses, basic IP, though taught at a graduate level, and International IP which is basically a bunch of seminars on random topics that coincide with talks being given in the faculty at the time. The basic IP course would drive you nuts because you would know most of it already and the International IP would equally drive you nuts becasue it is not taught well and completely random.
Columbia, sensibly divides IP into numerous modules so you can focus on Copyright or Trade Marks or Patents. You can sign up for seminars on very specific topics within each one as well. Also, some of the seminars are shared with NYU, so you get the benefit of their teaching favulty as well. There are very strong connections between NYU and Columbia for IP. Basically the difference is that you can tailor you courses to your specific needs and address areas that you feel you are weak on or would like to expand into in practice, whereas the Cambridge courses are really more broad stroke things intended for people who are getting a feel for the subject and dont know in which area they want to specialise. They do have a very practical focus however.

Harvard, great name, but not fantastic in anything in particular apart from Negotiation, Corporate and Financial Law. They have the Berkman Centre but it's mainly concerned with Internet Law and how IP relates to the internet. Not really as good a choice in IP courses as Columbia. Also, need I forget, Columbia has Ginsburg, just about the most famous Copyright person in the US, and also has seminars jointly taught by her and another famous guy from NYU whose name escapes me at the moment.

Anyway, feel free to disagree. I had intended to specialise in IP if I was going to the US but decided to go to Cambridge instead and do Commercial/Financial stuff. Also, I take it you are American, which means that the US Law Schools would be far more relevant to you than Cambridge. Copyright especially is completely different in the UK and Ireland (originality especially) and the US approach is only referred to in passing. Also very different regimes for Trade Marks and Passing Off, which I think is referred to as Unfair Competition over the pond. So nothing you would learn would be of any practical significance to you if heading back to the US, other than an interesting comparison.

Thanks irish guy - that is the best information I have ever seen on this board. Fantastic!

You have confirmed my view about Columbia. I'm not American though but Australian. Does this change your view?? ie should I stick within the common law or learn something new. I thought an American school would be refreshing - Socratic method, progressive etc... I also though that UK law might be moving towards the EU in the IP area... thoughts?