This year's recipients were The Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr. (Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals), Ted Turner (Chairman, Turner Enterprises, Inc.), and Anthony B. Askew (Partner, King & Spalding LLP). The IP Legends Award is awarded every other year, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions in the area of intellectual property, both in the business and legal arenas. In addition, IP Legends Award recipients are individuals who have served as role models for their peers, subordinates, and future members of the intellectual property community, have displayed the highest level of ethics in their careers, and have had a positive impact on their communities.

Previous recipients honored with IP Legends Awards include Miles Alexander, Partner at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP; S. Truett Cathy, Founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A; and Sandy Evans, former Chief IP Counsel for BellSouth.

"These honorees have made significant contributions over a lifetime to IP," noted Scott Frank, President of AT&T Intellectual Property and Chair of the Georgia State College of Law Intellectual Property Advisory Board. "They are highly respected in their fields, and we are honoring them for their incredible achievements in IP." College of Law Dean Steven Kaminshine said, "The role of intellectual property law in the global economy is more important than ever, and these awards not only honor the recipients' achievements, but also inspire continuing excellence." J. Mack Robinson College of Business Dean H. Fenwick Huss added, "We are honoring three great minds in business and law who have made an indelible mark in the area of intellectual property."

AT&T was the Platinum Sponsor of this year's event. Supporting Sponsors included Woodruff Arts Center, Georgia Tech Venture Lab, Georgia Research Alliance, the State Bar Association of Georgia IP Section, and the Atlanta Bar Association IP Section.

2009 IP Legends Award recipients, speakers that made their introduction at the Awards Luncheon, and GSU representatives. Pictured from left to right, Kathryn Wade, Jeff Kuester, Natasha Moffitt, Tony Askew, Steve Schaetzel, Ted Turner, Joe Beck, The Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr., Perry Binder, and Scott Frank.

View of the 2009 IP Legends Awards Luncheon

Frabel Award that was given to each of the 2009 IP Legends Award recipients

2009 IP Legends Award recipients with the speakers that made their introduction at the Awards Luncheon. Pictured from left to right, Joe Beck, The Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr., Xernona Clayton, Tony Askew, Ted Turner, and Steve Schaetzel

J. Mack Robinson College of Business Dean Fenwick Huss with 2009 IP Legends Award Recipient Ted Turner

Chair of the GSU College of Law IP Advisory Board Scott Frank made introductory remarks at the 2009 IP Legends Awards Luncheon.

2009 IP Legends Awards Chair Natasha Moffitt and others congratulated The Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr. on his receiving the 2009 award.

Family and friends with 2009 IP Legends Award recipient The Honorable Stanley F. Birch, Jr.

Selection criteria include:

• An individual who has had a significant impact on the field of intellectual property, for example, as an inventor, attorney, entrepreneur, legislator, professor, judge, educator, intellectual property manager, executive, and/or business owner.
• An individual who has recently and/or continuously made outstanding accomplishments in the field of intellectual property.
• An individual who has served as a role model for his or her peers, subordinates, and future members of the intellectual property community.
• An individual who has displayed the highest level of ethics in his or her career.
• An individual who has had a positive impact on his or her community.