2005 USPTO Partnership Meetings Scheduled for May 4, 2005

Conference or CLE, Patent

On Wednesday May 4, the Patent Office is holding a couple of “Customer Partnership Meetings.”  These meetings are designed to provide insight into how the patent office handles patent applications and tend to give some informal insight into peculiarities of particular technology areas. They are also free of charge.

1) Nanotechnology

The PTO has a newly formed Nanotechnology art unit class.  The Wednesday discussion will provide a look at how the new art unit is collecting and searching the prior art.  In addition, an industry panel will give feedback to the PTO and participants.  There will also be time for an open floor discussion.  Although the deadline for signing up for the conference has passed,

there is still some room for those interested.  Contact Jill.Warden@uspto.gov.

2) Business Methods

Because of a popular believe that business method patents are of lower quality, the PTO has instituted a number of initiatives to improve quality in the art unit.  The PTO is focusing on speeding up a process that currently involves long delays.  John Love, director of art unit handling business method patents as well as other members of the unit will be available to discuss these issues.  This conference may be full — however Joseph.Thomas@uspto.gov may be able to fit you in.

Note: I’m planning to be at the business methods conference.  I look forward to meeting you there.

What Does it Take to Become a Patent Attorney?

Conference or CLE, Patent

The Practicing Law Institute is hosting a free audio webcast IP Career Series directed to young lawyers, law students, and people thinking about law school.  Their next audio briefing is titled “So You Want to Be a Patent Lawyer…," and will be held on April 18th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST.  John White (who helped me learn patent law) and Katharine Patterson will present topics that include:

  • What does it take to become a patent attorney?
  • What does it mean to say you’re a patent attorney?
  • What is life like as a patent attorney?

In answering the general questions, White & Patterson expect to delve into how to decide between a prosecution or a litigation career and other sub-topics such as: The distinction between patent agents and patent attorneys; Hot undergraduate technical degrees; Whether and when a PhD is important; Geographical areas; and how to find a firm that wants to hire you.

Registration info:

2005 Business Methods USPTO Partnership Meeting

Conference or CLE, Patent

In May 2005, the USPTO will host its Spring 2005 Business Methods Customer Partnership Meeting.  This forum will likely provide a valuable opportunity for patent prosecutors to learn what goes on at TC 3600 beyond the MPEP. 

The director and managers of of the Business Methods workgroup will be there for an informal partnership meeting to discuss topics such as public pair, quality initiatives, the determination of statutory subject matter, and other topics specific to business methods.

DATES AND LOCATION: The partnership meeting will be held on Wednesday May 4, 2005, from 1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. at the USPTO MADISON AUDITORIUM, Concourse Level, Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22313.

Attendance reservations are taken on a first-come first-served bases.  However, the USPTO may limit the number of attendees from any single organization or law firm. Therefore, organizations and law firms should designate an official representatives. No one will be permitted to attend without an accepted attendance request.

To attend, contact Joe Thomas via FAX: (703) 746-5897, or e-mail: joseph.thomas@uspto.gov by April 20, 2005. 

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