Nineteen students arrived in the strange new world of Beijing this week to take part in the sixth annual China Intellectual Property Summer Institute. Among these travelers are seven Pierce Law students: Brian Meli, David Connaughton, Jonathan Herstoff, Michael Maicher, Sofia Wise, Juliya Kleynbok, and yours truly- Brian Thompson. The other students are from various American law schools, including George Washington University, Miami University, and the University of Denver, as well as students from Tsingua University. Tsingua is considered the top law school in China and a leader in Chinese Intellectual Property.

The CHIPSI program officially kicked off on the evening of June 29. After a flight that for most students lasted between 13-20 hours, we were treated to a lavish dinner at a resturaunt near Tsingua University. The food was fantastic, and we were able to meet new friends, including teaching assistants from Tsingua who will be working with us during the program. Students have also been busy getting a crash course in Chinese by visting Beijing's many wonderful resturaunts, bars, and historical landmarks, including Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. Students also visited the sight of this summer's Olympic games.This weekend, the entire group will visit the Great Wall and the Ming Tomb.

Classes began on Monday. Over the next four weeks, we will be take five classes at Tsingua. Pierce Law Professors Bill Hennessey and Mary Wong will teach courses in World Intellectual Property Trade and Contemporary Issues in Copyright Law. A third course, Contemporary Issues in Internet Law, will be taught by George Washington Professor Dawn Nunziato. The final two courses will be taught by Tsingua Professors Bing Wang and Jie Chang. Professors Bing and Jie are two of the preeminent authorities on Chinese Law and Intellectual Property.

Stay tuned to the reporter for pictures and stories from China! Zai jian!