Hello! I’m Jaci McDole, an educator, writer, musician, policy analyst, and all-around IP-loving nerd. I hold a double B.A. in Music Business and Radio-Television with a minor in Marketing, an MS in Education, and a J.D. with a specialization in intellectual property (Southern Illinois University Carbondale).
All my life, I’ve loved singing, dancing, acting, and performing. I’ve written songs, musicals, plays, skits, sketches, poetry, and stories. This love for the creative industries led me to study Music Business during undergrad. While there, I fell in love with IP law (especially copyright). Seeing how so few seem to understand the basics or importance of IP, I made it my mission to teach IP. Hence, a Master’s in Education and a Juris Doctor, and ultimately this blog.
My previous work includes stints with a small record label and a nonprofit royalty collective, and I’ve worked as an IP policy analyst with various think tanks since 2015. I also worked as a youth director, substitute teacher, and colorguard coach/choreographer from 2017-2021. My professional projects and collaborations include a study of the WHO Essential Medicines List, a report on closing the IP gender gap, updating the Trade Secret Protection Index, and various articles published as part of ITIF’s “Innovate4Health” series.
The IP Educator 