Where law and technology intersect

For Lydia Loren, there’s nothing virtual about cyberspace. Precisely because it is such a dynamic, freewheeling, and ever-changing realm, cyberspace offers unprecedented opportunities to test, refine, and apply intellectual property law. For Loren, a professor of law whose areas of expertise include intellectual property generally and copyright law in particular, that makes cyberspace not only a fertile source of knowledge but also a rich field in which to grow the law.

Now interim dean of the law school, Loren is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences that explore the legal implications and consequences of Internet communication. Loren is known for scholarly research and innovative thinking that reconsider legal precepts for the digital age while maintaining the integrity of the law’s best practices and traditions. She recently proposed a set of reforms for copyright law to facilitate the distribution of music as new technologies evolve, while maintaining appropriate levels of protection for creative artists.

There’s also nothing virtual about Loren’s appreciation of creative accomplishments. She regularly volunteers to teach art literacy in elementary schools. True to her collaborative style, she works with other volunteers in leading students through discussions about artists and their works, and then directs a project—hands-on, of course.