IP Strategies for Business in Florida's High-Tech Corridor

During the coming years, the growth of businesses in Florida’s High-Tech Corridor will continue to be driven by the development, acquisition, protection, and enforcement of valuable intellectual property (IP) rights. At the same time, groundbreaking changes affecting the U.S. patent system — including U.S. Supreme Court rulings and congressional and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office efforts to reform the patent system — are changing the landscape for companies across industries who rely on IP rights. These changes stand to impact the methods these industries use to acquire, protect, and enforce their IP.

Foley hosted a stimulating roundtable discussion with members of our IP Department as well as featured representatives of Florida business, university, and venture capital companies, who discussed the latest developments impacting the state’s high-technology, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Topics included:

• Changes in U.S. patent laws — What does it all mean for companies in Florida’s High-Tech Corridor?


• Effective IP strategies for enforcement and protection of IP


• Considerations for structuring business transactions involving IP and how to get the most value from a company’s IP


• Technology transfer, licensing, and portfolio management  

Featured Participants:

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  William R. Porter, Chief Technology Transfer Officer, UTEK Corporation


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  Valerie L. McDevitt, Esq., Director, Division of Patents and Licensing, University of South Florida

Foley Moderators:

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  Paul S. Hunter, Partner, Electronics and Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies Practices


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  Anat Hakim, Partner, IP Litigation Practice


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  Curt P. Creely, Partner, Transactional & Securities and Private Equity & Venture Capital Practices and Life Sciences and Emerging Technologies Industry Teams


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  Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff, Partner, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Pharmaceutical, and Appellate Practices, Life Sciences Industry Team, Medical Device Initiative, and Nutraceuticals Team