Date: July 20, 2025

Publisher: Jinan University Media CenterJNU Integrated Media Center

Lawrence Lessig, an internationally renowned jurist, the Loeb & Forman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, visited Jinan University from June 30 to July 4 for a series of academic activities. The visit was made at the invitation of Professor Xing Feng, President of Jinan University and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, with the aim of enhancing international collaboration and exchange in the field of intellectual property.

During his visit, Professor Lessig engaged in discussions with university representatives, participated in multiple academic events, and held in-depth dialogues with faculty and students. The activities centered on topics such as balancing intellectual property rights in the era of artificial intelligence and integrating practical wisdom into legal education.

On the afternoon of June 30, President Xing Feng met with Professor Lessig and his delegation. The two sides reviewed their two-decade-long history of academic exchanges and exchanged views on topics including the recruitment of intellectual property talent, discipline development, and the construction of the Guangzhou Intellectual Property Talent Base. President Xing expressed hope that Professor Lessig would continue to support the school’s internationalization efforts.

On the afternoon of July 1, the academic series commenced with an opening ceremony and keynote lecture held at the Intellectual Property Building on the Panyu campus. Professor Guo Zongjie, Executive Dean of the School of Law / Intellectual Property, presided over the event and expressed confidence that the visit would foster lasting mutual understanding between China and the United States in the field of intellectual property. Professor Lessig delivered a lecture titled “A New Balance for Intellectual Property in the AI Era,” which attracted over 300 participants, including faculty, students, and professionals from various sectors.

Prior to the lecture, the Lawrence Lessig Chair Professor Studio was officially inaugurated. Executive Dean Guo Zongjie and Professor Lessig jointly unveiled the studio, marking a significant step in the school's efforts to integrate global academic resources and strengthen international talent collaboration.

On the morning of July 2, Professor Lessig attended a faculty symposium on “Law as a Discipline of Practical Wisdom.” During the meeting, he shared insights from his legal practice in the United States, exploring how legal research and education can better integrate empirical experience and wisdom.

Scene of the teacher symposium

On the afternoon of July 4, Professor Lessig interacted with students in the moot court at the Intellectual Property Building. He emphasized that the core mission of the legal profession is the rational pursuit of justice, rather than the pursuit of wealth or power. Students raised questions on contemporary issues such as copyright ownership of AI-generated content, differences between Chinese and American legal systems and mindsets, as well as career development. Professor Lessig provided thoughtful responses and sincere advice.

Professor Lessig first joined Jinan University as a Visiting Professor in 2006. He was appointed Honorary Dean of the Intellectual Property Research Institute in 2018 and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Guangzhou Intellectual Property Talent Base. He revisited the university in 2019 to deliver academic lectures. This most recent visit marks his fourth to Jinan University.