Lucas Osborn

Lucas Osborn serves as Professor and founder/director of the Intellectual Property Law Program at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, while maintaining an active practice as Of Counsel at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP specializing in IP litigation, prosecution, and licensing for digital technologies including 3D printing, software, and chemical engineering applications.

Education:

• Harvard Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2004
• Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), summa cum laude, 2000; Chemical Engineering

Research Interests:

Professor Osborn’s scholarship critically examines intellectual property law’s adaptation to technological disruption, with concentrated expertise in patent law and the legal implications of 3D printing/digital manufacturing. His work analyzes copyright authorship in AI-generated content, trademark protection for virtual goods, and regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. The Cambridge University Press publication 3D Printing and Intellectual Property (2019) established foundational analysis for this rapidly evolving field.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) doctrinal challenges in applying traditional IP frameworks to digital fabrication, (2) boundary expansions for trademark protection in virtual environments, and (3) policy proposals for balancing innovation incentives against public access in the digital age. His scholarship consistently bridges theoretical legal analysis with practical industry implications.

Awards and Honors:

• Campbell University’s D. P. Russ, Jr. and Walter S. Jones, Sr. Alumni Award for Research Excellence (2016)
• Campbell University’s Law Dean’s Excellence in Research Award (2014)
• The Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation – Patent (2024–Present)

Professor Osborn leads law students on annual Panama “Study & Service” trips combining legal education with community development, demonstrating his commitment to experiential learning. His research impact is evidenced by citations in major publications including Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News, along with his influential four-year appointment (2014-2019) to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Confidentiality Commission.

As director of Campbell’s Intellectual Property Law Program, he has cultivated an interdisciplinary academic environment connecting law students with industry professionals through specialized coursework, guest lectures from patent practitioners, and technology-focused moot court competitions addressing contemporary IP dilemmas.