On Monday, January 14, 2008, Foley’s Intellectual Property Department Chair and Partner Sharon Barner is participating in a panel discussion on “Patent Reform: Motivations, Impact, and the Debate” during Northwestern University School of Law’s Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) IP Week.
Ms. Barner will discuss the forces driving the Patent Reform Act of 2007 and how it might impact the IP field. The panel will be moderated by a member of IPLS and is scheduled to take place from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Other points being addressed include:
- What are some of the historical problems with the patent system that have led to the need for reform?
- What are the specific changes that this bill is proposing?
- What problems do you see persisting despite the changes? What new problems might be created with the passing of this bill?
- What are some specific private interests that have polarized the perception of this bill being favorable or unfavorable to the patent system?
Related Insights
July 21, 2025
Energy Current
DOE Announces Pilot Program to Build Advanced U.S. Nuclear Fuel Supply Lines: What You Need to Know Now
Introduction Coming on the heels of its June 2025 announcement establishing a pilot program for reactor construction and operation in…
July 21, 2025
Labor & Employment Law Perspectives
Considering a Reduction in Force? Some Preliminary Considerations
Employers sometimes find it necessary to make the difficult decision to undergo a reduction-in-force (RIF), resulting in employee layoffs…
November 13, 2025
Events
Shaping Tomorrow: Industry Trends Through Legal, Financial, and Economic Lenses
On September 13, Foley senior counsel Charles Gass will speak on the panel “Shaping Tomorrow: Industry Trends Through Legal, Financial, and Economic” during the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (CASCA) Annual Conference & Trade Show. Gass is also CASCA’s general counsel.