2022 Patent Office Comes to California Package

Need to fulfill your MCLE requirements but our program dates aren’t working for you? Consider our packaged bundles with panels from our 2022 Patent Office Comes to California package. Stay on top of your MCLE requirements on your terms and time. 

Receive a total of 6.75 Hours of MCLE for $175! Offer ends 2/15/2023.

This package includes the following programs:

Panel 1:  The Interplay Between EPO Proceedings, The Unitary Patent, and the Unified Patent Court
The Unitary Patent package provides for the greatest reform of the European Patent system since its introduction almost 50 years ago. Dr Stefan Luginbuehl, Head of Department European Legal affairs at the European Patent Office (EPO), will provide the latest information on the patent package and an insight on the impact of UPC procedures on EPO proceedings.

Panel 2: Tips and Tricks for Successfully Prosecuting Before the EPO – An Inside Perspective
This talk will focus on some of the differences in practice between the US and European systems so that participants will be more aware of issues which can arise and therefore be better able to bring their applications to a successful conclusion.

Panel 3: Hot Button Issues in Bio Pharma Industry
Patent law is also beset with challenges in certain technologies, including CRISPR regarding determination of priority between four different parties, and international calls (shockingly supported by the U.S.) for a patent waiver relating to IP for COVID vaccines and treatments. And while the post-grant review provisions of the AIA were initially differentially applied to business methods and computer technologies, more recently biotechnology, biologic drugs, and pharmaceutical patents have also become a focus for these proceedings.  This panel will discuss these challenges and developments.

Panel 4: Tips and Strategies for Winning at the PTAB
This experienced panel of in-house counsel, outside counsel, and PTAB judges will discuss recent developments at the PTAB, how they should affect your strategic considerations in bringing and defending against challenges at the PTAB, and how stakeholders can make their voices heard in the PTAB’s final policies and procedures.

Panel 5: Patent Eligible Subject Matter – Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going 
This panel will discuss the current state of jurisprudence for patent eligible subject matter under Section 101, and how it impacts U.S. investment and innovation. The panelists will cover recent case law, guidance from the USPTO, calls for consistency and reform, and practice tips in this area, which Director Vidal has described as deserving attention because “the law is not set.”

Panel 6: Keynote Address from the USPTO
A Conversation with USPTO Director Kathi Vidal – A west coast USPTO employee will moderate the discussion with Director Vidal where she outlines her first four months of accomplishments at the USPTO, and talks through her vision for the agency, including highlighting upcoming initiatives.

Panel 7: Artificial Intelligence in Life Sciences Patent Applications – Perspectives on the JPO’s Approach
This panel will provide insights on the Japan Patent Office’s approach to AI-related patent applications in the life sciences industry. The speakers will discuss patent eligibility for AI applications in Japan, the JPO Examination Guidelines for such inventions, filing trends as well as a JPO Examiner’s views on such filings. The speakers will also provide practical tips and strategies for protecting combination-type AI and life sciences inventions in Japan.