معرفی
Tim McFarlin serves as a Professor of Law at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, where he teaches property law, contract law, and intellectual property (copyrights, trademarks, and patents). His scholarship examines copyright law through historical and contemporary creative disputes, focusing on authorship, joint authorship, and the rights of creators. Prior to joining Samford, McFarlin held academic positions at the University of La Verne College of Law (assistant professor), Elon University School of Law (fellow), and Washington University in St. Louis (adjunct professor). He previously practiced civil litigation in St. Louis with an emphasis on intellectual property cases, securing winning verdicts as trial counsel.
McFarlin earned his Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law and dual bachelor's degrees in history and political science from the University of Missouri. His teaching philosophy integrates empathy, passion for the law, and practical problem-solving approaches.
Research Focus:
McFarlin's work centers on Intellectual Property and Copyright Law, with deep explorations into:
- Historical copyright cases involving Mark Twain, Mary Ann Cord, Chuck Berry, and Orson Welles
- Authorship and joint authorship frameworks in creative works
- Post-mortem rights, identity appropriation, and wealth transfer in intellectual property
- Innovations in legal education using open-source collaborative methods
McFarlin actively engages with the academic community through presentations at major conferences including the Southeastern Association of Law Schools, Intellectual Property Scholars, and Intellectual Property Mosaic conferences. His publications demonstrate consistent contributions to copyright theory and legal education reform since 2004.
While the available materials do not specify current advisees or research grants, McFarlin's scholarly impact is evident through his extensive publication record and conference participation. His work bridges historical legal analysis with contemporary intellectual property challenges, particularly regarding creator rights and authorship recognition.
