How Intellectual Property Law Upholds Whiteness
Beyond the myth of colorblindness.
In this episode of The Jabot, I talk with Dr. Anjali Vats, author of The Color of Creatorship, about the intersection of race and IP law — something that may not strike the average person as particularly obvious. We delve into how the seemingly colorblind patent and copyright laws continue to favor white men, the role of American mythos in maintaining that system, and the stories about invention should we be telling. We also talk about the key moments or decisions that locked the white gaze in as the dominant one in American IP law. We also discuss the concept of IP citizenship and look at the copyright infringement case against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and TI, and how race and IP law work in that historic case.
The Jabot podcast is an offshoot of the Above the Law brand focused on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. Our name comes from none other than the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the jabot (decorative collar) she wore when delivering dissents from the bench. It’s a reminder that even when we aren’t winning, we’re still a powerful force to be reckoned with.
Happy listening!
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).
