This Time It's Real. New U.S. Patent Reform Law Within Sight – President Obama Expected to Sign!

The Hon. Robert L. Stoll, Commissioner for Patents, will be a featured panelist at a conference addressing the new patent law. On September 8, 2011, by a vote of 89-9, the Senate approved the House version of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), leaving only President Obama’s signature as the final step to make patent reform a reality (he has already stated he is ready to sign this bill). This reform is certain to have profound changes in how patents are obtained and enforced in the United States.

Join us for a time sensitive discussion with fellow IP leaders as they decipher practical implications of key provisions, various retroactive and prospective deadlines, and recommended steps to address the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.

Topics include:

• How will the United States implement “first to file”?
  
• What prior art issues will change, and how will the Federal Circuit interpret them?
  
• Cutting the backlog, will it happen?
  
• Quality control: Major changes being implemented
  
  
  
  • Post-grant review
    
  • Inter Partes review
    
  • Weeding out invalid patents – Post- and Pre-Grant
  
  
• “Best mode” violation penalty eliminated
  
• Qui Tam false marking suits – abolished
  
• Limiting inequitable conduct claims

Featured Guest Speaker: 

Robert L. Stoll, Commissioner for Patents, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Featured Foley Speaker:

Sharon R. Barner, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP and Deputy Director of the USPTO (2009-2011), Partner, IP Department

Harold C. Wegner, Partner, IP Department

There is no cost to participate in this program; however, pre-registration is required. Instructions for accessing the program will be included in the registration confirmation.

For additional information on patent reform, click here.

Foley & Lardner LLP will apply for CLE credit after the program, wherever applicable. Foley & Lardner LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for California MCLE credits by the State Bar of California in the amount of one General credit. Foley & Lardner LLP is a State Bar of California MCLE approved provider. Please note that participants must log in to both the teleconference and LiveMeeting portions on the date of the event; credit may not be obtained by viewing and/or listening to a program recording after the event.