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The VBA Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law Section was established January 17, 1997, having previously existed as a committee for several years. Since becoming a section, membership has increased rapidly and is currently approaching a total of 200 members.

The mission statement adopted by the Section is "To increase awareness of intellectual property law issues among all practitioners by publications and continuing legal education programs." The Section membership believes that this mission is particularly important for lawyers in Virginia at the present time, in view of the large number of technology-based businesses locating in Virginia and the rapidly increasing importance of patents, trademarks and copyrights to the Commonwealth's economy.

To further this goal, the VBA IPITL Section has presented CLE programs on the Internet's impact on the practice of law and the Virginia Trademark and Service Mark Act of 1998. The IPITL Section has committed to presentation of CLE programs at VBA Winter and Summer Meetings.

The IPITL Section has published a number of "Practice Tips" articles concerning various aspects of patents, trademarks and copyrights, including pending federal legislation, in the VBA publications. The Section has also prepared a series of brochures on selected IPITL topics as an ongoing project. Copies of these brochures are available to VBA members upon request.

The IPITL Section is active in regard to technology-related legislation in Virginia and assumed a major role in drafting the Virginia Trademark and Service Mark Act of 1998, which was enacted earlier this year. In this effort, the Section's legislative committee established a discussion group with representatives of the State Corporation Commission and the international Trademark Association. Similar initiatives are planned for the future.