The Robert Shaw International IP Symposium

IN THE NEWS:
IP Center Hosts Symposium on International IP Practice and the America Invents Act

[ archived information below ]

April 25, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
UNH School of Law
Concord, NH

Registration | Program | Speakers List | Accommodations | Contact Us

In September 2012 the new America Invents Act (AIA) went into effect in the United States. Hailed as the most significant piece of patent law reform in over a century, the AIA attempts to harmonize U.S. patent law with international norms. In March 2013 further implementation saw the U.S. move toward a "first-inventor-to-file" system and new rules for post-grant review of patents.

How will the AIA impact patent prosecution, management and litigation strategies for U.S. and foreign inventors, businesses and practitioners?
Will changes in patent practice elsewhere, such as the establishment of a unified patent court in Europe, change U.S. patent practice and international perspectives on the AIA?

Join our distinguished faculty of federal judges, senior practitioners and international patent counsel for a day of discussions and networking at the new Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property!

The conference fee includes admission to all sessions, lunch, networking breaks, and a closing reception. CLE credits pending.

$275: General Public | $225: UNH Law alumni | $25: All law students

$175: Live streaming option

Sponsored by UNH Law's Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property

Proudly supported by Sughrue Mion, PLLC

In memory of the late Professor Robert Shaw
Founder of the Franklin Pierce Law Center Patent Practice Program

Conference Program

8:15 a.m.: Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks

William Mandir, Partner, Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Dean John Broderick, UNH Law

9:15 a.m.: Tribute to Professor Robert Shaw

Professor Jon Cavicchi, UNH Law

9:30 a.m.: Keynote Address

The Hon. Arthur J. Gajarsa (ret.), United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence, UNH Law

10:00 a.m.: Break

10:15 a.m.: Morning Plenary Session: Views from the Judiciary

The Hon. Arthur J. Gajarsa (ret.), United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence, UNH Law
The Hon. Jimmie V. Reyna, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Alan Kasper, Partner, Sughrue Mion (moderator)

The last significant provisions of the AIA became effective on March 16, 2013, but the AIA already has had a profound impact on the practices and strategies of stakeholders world-wide with respect to the US patent system.

The first to see the practical effect of these changes are the administrative bodies that are charged with the responsibility of issuing patents under the new regime, the newly constituted Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the courts, that have responsibility for interpreting the new provisions and enforcing patents issued under the standards and procedures established by the AIA.

The AIA necessitated significant revisions to the Rules of Practice in patent cases that govern the filing and examination of patent applications, and the establishment of new practices and procedures with regard to pre- and post- grant proceedings to resolve disputes involving inventorship and patentability. The final word on the propriety of these revised and new Patent Rules will be provided by the Federal Courts.

In this Plenary Session, experienced members of the Federal Circuit will provide an overview of the applicable Patent Rules, highlighting key issues and providing insights into the manner in which the Rules will be interpreted and ultimately evaluated by the Courts.

12:00 noon: Luncheon honoring UNH Law Professor Emeritus Karl Jorda

With remarks by UNH Law Professors William Murphy and William Hennessey

1:30 p.m.: Afternoon Panel Session I: International Perspectives on the AIA

Dr. Heinz Goddar, Partner, Boehmert & Boehmert, Germany
Joshua B. Goldberg, Management Committee, Nath, Goldberg & Meyer
Young Wook Ha, Managing Partner, Ha & Ha, Korea
Jin Zhang, IP Counsel, Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. (USA/China)
Douglas Zhang, Global Patent Counsel, General Electric (USA/China)
Richard Beem, Managing Partner, Beem Patent Law Firm (moderator)

While much has been said already about the impact of the AIA on US stakeholders, a unique perspective that has not yet been examined comes from an equally large group of applicants who are residents outside the United States.

This panel of international patent experts will discuss the practical impact of the AIA and its implementation through the new Patent Rules, from the perspective of both the foreign company and the foreign practitioner.

This review will extend beyond prosecution issues and will include external impressions of the new AIA Post Grant Review proceedings, which were inspired by the effectiveness of European oppositions, but differ in several key respects. The US proceedings are much faster, but more complex, and arguably are for higher stakes than their European opposition cousins, as the US proceedings target completion within one year, permit discovery and have a significant estoppel effect. Does the US approach signal a global trend, as Japan, which abandoned oppositions in favor of invalidity proceedings several years ago, now considers a revival of oppositions?

This panel will review various aspects of the new US practices and proceedings and will provide insights into the strategies likely to be followed by applicants abroad.

3:00 p.m.: Break

3:15 p.m.: Afternoon Panel Session II: Patent Litigation Strategies & the AIA

Kenneth Burchfiel, Partner, Sughrue Mion
Guy Donatiello, Vice President, IP, Endo Pharmaceuticals
Gary Ganzi, Managing IP Counsel, Siemens Corp
William Mandir, Partner, Sughrue Mion
Jeff Hawley, UNH Law (moderator)

A panel of corporate and outside counsel will explore the impact of the AIA provisions on Federal District Court litigation as well as resolving disputes outside of litigation.

How should companies change patent litigation strategy in view of the new joinder, post grant/inter partes review, estoppel and supplemental examinations provisions of the AIA?

Have Federal District Judges embraced or frustrated the goals of the Act?

How do Judges decide motions to transfer and to stay District Court cases in view of the new provisions?

How can the AIA provisions be used to help companies avoid patent litigation altogether?

Should companies use AIA post grant provisions in lieu of patent litigation?

5:15 p.m.: Reception, Franklin Pierce Center for IP atrium

Speakers List

Our notable lineup of speakers from the U.S., Europe and Asia will share their insights into the AIA's implementation, and discuss risks, implications and potential strategies for assisting clients and companies in an age of significant change for U.S. and international patent practice.

Richard Beem, Managing Partner, Beem Patent Law Firm

Kenneth Burchfiel, Partner, Sughrue Mion, PLLC

Guy Donatiello, VP, Intellectual Property, Endo Pharmaceuticals

The Hon. Arthur J. Gajarsa (ret.), United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence, UNH Law

Gary Ganzi, Managing IP Counsel, Siemens

Dr. Heinz Goddar, Partner, Boehmert & Boehmert (Germany)

Joshua B. Goldberg, Partner-in-Charge of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Department of Nath, Goldberg & Meyer

Young Wook Ha, Managing Partner, Ha & Ha (Korea)

J. Jeffrey Hawley, Distinguished Fellow in Intellectual Property, UNH School of Law

Alan Kasper, Partner, Sughrue Mion, PLLC

William Mandir, Partner, Sughrue Mion, PLLC

The Hon. Jimmie V. Reyna, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Douglas Zhang, Global Patent Counsel, General Electric (U.S./China)

Jin Zhang, IP Counsel, Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. (U.S./China)

Accommodations

Mention you are visiting the law school and you may receive a special rate at local hotels and inns.

Contact Us

For questions and event updates please email ipcenter@law.unh.edu.