9:00am-10:00am

Patent Track:
View from the USPTO: Current Issues in Patent Law

Straight from the front lines, USPTO staff will highlight some of the hottest topics in patent law practice and give practical advice on how those changes will impact working with the USPTO.

Andrew H. Hirshfeld, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA 
  

9:00am-10:00am

Trademark Track:
View from the USPTO: Current Issues in Trademark Law

A USPTO expert reviews recent developments and offers insight on trademark law practice and working with the USPTO.

Andrew Lawrence, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA 
  

10:05am-11:00am

Patent Track:
The AIA: A Private Practice Attorney’s Perspective, Inter Partes Review

The 800 pound gorilla facing practitioners is the inter partes review, which is "inter partes reexamination on steroids." Commencing September 16, 2012, any enforceable patent may be attacked, no matter how old. Video depositions of experts and other tough measures give the attacker a decided advantage; proceedings start at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board with no opportunity for de novo court action.

Harold C. Wegner, Foley & Lardner LLP, Washington, DC
 

10:05am-11:00am

Trademark Track:
Cloud Computing

The prevalence of cloud computing is growing as a result of the provided increase in computing flexibility and reduction in cost associated with dedicated computer infrastructures. With its benefits, however, cloud computing also raises intellectual property concerns. This presentation will address the state of cloud computing with a focus on intellectual property rights, including trademark and copyright matters.

Jesse M. Feder, Business Software Alliance, Washington, DC 
 

11:00am-11:15am

Networking Break

11:15am-12:10pm

Patent Track:
Navigating Post-Bilski Patent Issues

In Bilski, the Supreme Court decided that business methods are patentable and rejected the Federal Circuit’s machine-or-transformation test as the sole test of subject matter eligibility. Since then, the Federal Circuit has decided several cases involving the issue of patentable subject matter as lower courts and the PTO work to identify the boundaries of section 101. This session discusses how to operate in a post-Bilski world, covers litigation strategies for Section 101 challenges to method claims, examines the PTO’s approach to post-Bilski issues, and addresses recent Federal Circuit cases on patentable subject matter.

Erika Harmon Arner, Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP, Reston, VA 
 

11:15am-12:10pm

Trademark Track:
The New gTLDs: How to Apply for Them and How to Defend Against Them

The application process for the new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) just ended. With gTLDs, a brand owner can go from a brand.com domain name to a .brand domain name. What does a trademark owner do now if it wants to object to one or more of these new gTLDs? What does the trademark owner do if it realizes now that it should apply for its own gTLD? Is it too late? Learn the latest on this constantly evolving topic.

Mary M. Squyres, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Chicago, IL 
 

12:15pm-1:30pm

Lunch Speaker: Patently-O Blogger Dennis Crouch - Toward an International Intellectual Property System

The recent passage of the America Invents Act has been seen around the world as a significant step toward harmonization of the various patent laws and systems. The new law itself includes international harmonization as a stated goal of the reforms. This talk will focus on the next steps in this harmonization process with a particular focus on the role of courts and administrative bodies (such as the governmental intellectual property offices). Although many of the new developments involve changes in patent law, we will also touch upon design protection, trademarks, and copyright.

Dennis D. Crouch, University of Missouri School of Law, Columbia, MO 
 

1:35pm-2:45pm

Automotive Industry Breakout Session

Panel will discuss intellectual property issues - including the America Invents Act, IP enforcement, acquisitions, global operations, and social media - that face the automotive industry.

Amanda L. Conti-Duhaime, Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills
William J. Coughlin, Ford Global Technologies LLC, Dearborn
K. Venkatesh Prasad, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn 
 

1:35pm-2:45pm

Life Science Industry Breakout Session

Panel will discuss intellectual property issues - including the America Invents Act, IP enforcement, acquisitions, global operations, and social media - that face the life science industry.

Adam B. Strauss, Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo
Jonathan P. O'Brien, PhD, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, Kalamazoo
Gregory J. Vogler, McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd., Chicago, IL
Matthew Alves, Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo

1:35pm-2:45pm

Financial Industry Breakout Session

Panel will discuss intellectual property issues - including the America Invents Act, IP enforcement, acquisitions, global operations, and social media - that face the financial industry.

Kristen Isaacson Spano, Senior Trademark Counsel, Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills
Matthew J. Kelly, CME Group Inc., Chicago, IL
Kathryn L. Ossian, Miller Canfield PLC, Detroit 
  

2:45pm-3:00pm

Networking Break  

3:00pm-4:15pm

Patent Track:
Building an Enforceable Design Patent Portfolio

Design patent enforcement is increasing post-Egyptian Goddess and the elimination of the Point of Novelty test. This presentation will discuss strategies to avoid common attacks on the enforceability of a design patent, including functionality, validity, non-infringement, and obviousness. Learn how to take advantage of each country’s design protection laws to build a layered portfolio.

Damian Porcari, Ford Global Technologies LLC, Dearborn 
 

3:00pm-4:15pm

Trademark Track:
Challenges and Strategies for Foreign Trademark Enforcement

Facing trademark issues in far-flung jurisdictions? Piracy cutting into your bottom line? Join us for insights on how companies can better position themselves abroad to limit trademark infringement and what enforcement measures can be taken when issues arise. We’ll discuss enforcement strategies, from gauging infringement to budgeting, tools for monitoring and managing, and how the global village can help you keep infringers in check.

Mary Margaret L. O'Donnell, Blue Filament Intellectual Property LLC, Birmingham