The 6th Annual Corporate IP Counsel Forum

This Keynote Address highlights the USPTO efforts relating to the implementation of the America Invents Act (AIA) and various initiatives designed to enhance patent application processing efficiency and improve the quality of issued patents.

Standards-essential patents (SEPs) cover technology that cannot be avoided when implementing ubiquitous technical standards, such as 802.11. To address the use of SEPs to possibly block standards, those involved in developing standards, in standards bodies, typically commit to license their SEPs on so-called fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. In this session, gain information to help represent SEP owners and implementers of standards that incorporate SEPs, including how to:

• Appreciate why SEPs are making headlines
• Understand how standards policies define SEPs and attach duties to SEPs
• Identify how being essential to a standard affects SEP royalty, availability of injunctive relief, and ROI
• Examine court and agency perceptions of SEPs

• Learn about successful strategies for identifying your most valuable patents
• Evaluate your patent portfolio to know where to spend money
• Gain inside information on tips for buying, selling, and licensing patents
• Assess the future value of patents based on current trends
• Discuss the changing nature of litigation and the emerging efficient market for IP

• Hear an update on the latest Supreme Court cases and their implications on your corporate IP strategy
• Review the issues presented, holdings, and the ramifications of each case
• Understand how recent cases can impact your IP practice in 2014

This interactive panel discussion will address IP issues that arise in social networks, as well as suggest best practices in related areas of risk control, brand protection, and privacy. Come hear panelist share strategies on:

• Implement best approaches now to minimize the risk of future IP and privacy disputes
• Maintain current and clear terms and conditions concerning ownership and use
• Actively monitor how your brand is referenced in third-party sites

This presentation will provide a step-by-step guideline for filing an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from a final decision of the Board of Appeals and Interferences. After attending this session you will have the tools necessary to:

• Initiate an appeal
• Prepare and file an appeal brief, a reply brief and other related documents
• Argue before the Federal Circuit

On March 16, 2013, the new priority and prior art rules under the AIA was implemented in the United States. This means that all new applications filed after the implementation date which do not sufficiently claim an earlier priority date will have the Act’s new prior art and priority rules applied. Join this interactive discussion to:

• Analyze and dissect the standard set forth In re Seagate to understand the court’s decision
• Identify the related AIA provisions regarding opinion of counsel
• Understand in-house counsel’s role in supplying all relevant information to opinion counsel, and reviewing content of outside counsel’s opinion

Roundtable Discussions are designed to promote targeted group conversation around the most active areas of IP. Each Roundtable is led by a moderator who offers talking points that encourage idea and best practice exchanges. Topics to choose from include: