The Chief Judge (right) will join our opening plenary panel, which also includes Sherry Knowles, Jim Crowne, John Whealan and Matthew Schruers. I’ll be moderating this session, and with such knowledgeable and opinionated speakers I’m sure my biggest challenge will be making sure we keep to time.
The panellists have agreed to focus on the high hopes that came with the America Invents Act, and the extent to which they have come to fruition. I’m sure that will also lead us on to talk about some of the pending cases at the Federal Circuit and Supreme Court, other recent decisions as well as litigation abuse concerns and the proposals designed to address them. It should be a lively 45 minutes.
The US Patent Forum could not be better timed, with first-to-file coming into effect on the 16th and a hearing on the SHIELD Act taking place today. As well as the opening panel, we have a keynote address from Teresa Stanek Rea and panels on the AIA and NPEs, life sciences, lessons from Canada, the ITC and patent monetisation.
But we have not overlooked the international dimension either, with presentations from Jim Pooley of WIPO and Camille-Remy Bogliolo of the EPO, and a panel on China.
The conference wraps up at 5.40, after which we will be holding our annual North America Awards dinner recognising outstanding achievements among US and Canadian companies and firms.
If you would like to attend, there are still some spaces. Attendance is free of charge for in-house counsel and those in academia, but you must register online. Registration includes the conference materials and meals during the day, and CLE credits will be available.
I look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, if you have any questions you’d like us to ask the Chief Judge, let me know.