Upcoming Events in the Patent World

There are several events taking place next week that interest me, and might interest you. They are listed in chronological order.

1) Phillips v. AWH en banc oral arguments, Washington DC, Tuesday, February 8, 2005: This is going to be a big event at the Federal Circuit in DC. 

2) Chicago’s IP Roundtable will be on February 10, 2005 and is hosted by Foley & Lardner.  IP attorneys who are interested in participating in a lively discussion of current hot topics are invited to attend.  The agenda includes a discussion of Phillips v. AWH, Rader’s sharp dissent in last week’s Fosamax case, Merck v. Integra at the Supreme Court, and patent extraterritoriality.

From the Flyer: Featured participants include the author of the most popular and widely read patent blog, "Patently-O", Dennis Crouch of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP . . . The co-moderators are Sharon R. Barner, Gregory S. Norrod and Harold C. Wegner. RSVP: Jean Shim jshim@foley.com. The conference venue is Foley & Lardner LLP, 321 N. Clark Street – Suite 2800, Thursday, February 10, 2005, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST [RSVP deadline to guarantee space February 7, 2005]

3) The APLF is hosting a discussion of "What is Your Case Worth?"  This all important question is very useful to help plaintiffs and defendants plan their tactics in the courtroom and at the settlement negotiation table. Dan Boehnen of MBHB along with Aron Levko of PriceWaterhouseCoopers will lead the discussion that takes place February 11, 2005, 11:30-12:30 CST. RSVP: info@aplf.org in order to obtain toll free dial in number. The roundtable discussions are a free service to in-house counsel involved in IP matters that want to receive very timely and accurate summary information on business-relevant patent law matters, and APLF member firm attorneys.

4) FTC’s town-hall meeting on patent reform will be held in Chicago on March 4, 2005.  Kenneth Dam, University of Chicago Professor [emeritus] and formerly of the Deputy Secretary of Treasury will be a keynote speaker.  USPTO Director Jon Dudas will be speaking as well. [Brochure] [Online Registration].

5 )The ABA’s TECHSHOW will be held in Chicago on March 31-April 2.  Sessions include: How to Jump Start Your Practice; Meet the Bloggers; and Using Technology to Avoid Malpractice. [Registration] [More info here, here, here, here, and here].