Assessing the new European patent package: Newport, here we come!

Not everything to do with the new European patent package revolves round London and other major conurbations in which patent litigators tend to congregate -- and here's the proof.  "The Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court: An Assessment and Outlook”, a seminar talk by Dr Thomas Jaeger, will take place at the University of South Wales (Newport City Campus) on 17 July 2014, 10.30 am to 12 noon. Attendance is free of charge, but you still have to register by emailing Ana Ramalho at ana.ramalho@southwales.ac.uk

Here's an abstract of the talk, in case you're interested: 

“The EU’s patent package enacted in 2012/13 ended a decade-long dispute whether an EU patent was needed and how cross-border patent enforcement could be made more effective. One would expect that the outcome of such a long debate should incorporate an optimal system. However, the contrary seems to be the case: Compromises successively introduced for legal and political reasons significantly altered the shape of the package as compared to the original plans. The substantive patent now envisaged is a strangely hybrid and, upon closer examination, deficient legal title. Likewise, the patent court as it is now designed neither seems to remedy key deficits of current cross-border enforcement, nor does it provide sufficient legal certainty and equal opportunities for potential users.

This lecture seeks to inform about the current state of affairs for the package. It will start with a brief outline of the substantive and structural elements of the patent package, then venture into a by a discussion of its principal shortcomings and close with an outlook and assessment on the pitfalls still ahead until the package may become operable”.

AIA seminar on patent litigation comes to London

Law firm Pinsent Masons is hosting a free seminar at which US patent attorney Edward D. Manzo will be giving a presentation on the AIA.  Edward is the author of the recently-published The America Invents Act: A Guide to Patent Litigation and Patent Procedure--which quite fortuitously happens to be the title of the seminar.  PatLit would have offered a link to the book, but ten minutes online failed to uncover a link to it, even on the publishers' website.

Details of this event, which is free and open to all comers, are as follows:

The America Invents Act: A Guide to Patent Litigation and Patent Procedure  

Monday 25 February 2013 

Pinsent Masons is hosting an evening seminar on Monday 25th February. The seminar will explore the most significant changes brought about by the America Invents Act and will have plenty of opportunity to discuss the implications of these changes and draw comparisons with how things are likely to change in Europe in the not to distant future. All welcome! Please click on the link below to register. 

The seminar will be given by Edward D. Manzo, partner at US firm Husch Blackwell LLP, practicing in IP litigation, client counselling and IP portfolio development, will discuss the most significant changes brought about by the AIA. Edward is a renowned IP specialist lawyer in the US, and provides expert analysis on the AIA in his recently published book ‘The America Invents Act: A Guide to Patent Litigation and Patent Procedure’.

Key topics for discussion will include:

• What difference will “first to file” really make?
• How will the new and various post grant procedures change the landscape for the recipients of U.S. patents?

At a time when we are dealing with the prospect of significant change to the patent landscape in Europe, we have lined up a few panellists to join us. We are looking forward to some interesting discussion and comparisons relating to the proposed Unitary Patent and UPC. The panellists so far include:

Mark Platts-Mills. Mark is Head of Chambers at 8 New Square, the largest specialist IP chambers in the UK. Members of 8 New Square have been providing input into the drafting of rules of procedure for the UPC and will be continuing to work to ensure that the system provides speedy and efficient dispute resolution for those who choose to use the UPC instead of national courts.

Adrian Murray. Patent Attorney and consultant to WP Thompson.  Adrian's principal practice area is in the field of pharmaceuticals, advising clients on launch strategies and freedom to operate issues, as well as assisting them with securing protection for their inventions in Europe and internationally. Throughout his career, Adrian has worked principally in private practice, but also spent several years in house at a large pharmaceutical company.

Held at Pinsent Masons London offices at 30 Crown Place, London EC2A 4ES, registration is from 5.30pm, the presentation will begin at 6pm with questions and refreshments afterwards.

We hope you can join us.If you would like to attend this session please select the Register option below.

Date:	Monday 25 February 2013
Time:	Registration: 5.30pm; Seminar 6pm followed by questions and refreshments
Venue:	Pinsent Masons LLP, 30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES

Get directions here

Importing into the US? Minimising the risk of patent infringement

On 17 February German-based US patent attorney Robert Lelkes  is giving a one-day seminar in Amsterdam on measures one can take when introducing a product, or new product features, into the US market to reduce the harm that may arise from an accusation of patent infringement.  Together with his colleague Thomas Niemann (Managing Director, Hochland Natec GmbH), Robert offers an overview and will present case studies addressing problems such as (i) holding the U.S. customer harmless from patent infringement lawsuits which the European vendor cannot afford and (ii) dealing with competitors and patent trolls that use patents aggressively to raise the cost of entry into the U.S. market. The goal of the seminar is to provide knowledge of the differences between European and U.S. strategies, so that even small and mid-sized European companies can survive this peril of doing business in the U.S.

Robert's seminar, sponsored by Forum Institute, is called “Preventing Patent Harassment in the U.S.”.  To download the brochure and sign up just click here.  PatLit learns that, while the seminar is already viable and will be going ahead, Robert's motto is "the more, the merrier!"

If any reader is planning on going and is likely to be taking decent notes which might appear on this weblog, can he or she let me know!

Competition

There's an Advanced Patent Litigation Seminar coming up in London on the afternoon of Wednesday 22 April 2009, under the aegis of MBL Seminars. The seminar is conducted by barrister Richard Hodgson (Design Chambers) and you can view the programme here.

PatLit is running a competition, for which the prize is complimentary registration for this seminar (regular fee £190 + VAT).  The competition, for which the closing date is midnight on Sunday 5 April 2009, requires entrants to describe, in 100 words or fewer, "My nightmare patent litigation scenario". Please email your entries to PatLit here, with the subject line "Nightmare Scenario".  The best entries will be published (please indicate if you require anonymity if your entry is published!)  If you don't want to enter the competition, or you aren't lucky enough to be the winner, you can still book to attend it by clicking here.