*** NEW EVENTS ***

May 13, 2008

Kelley Drye & Warren (101 Park Ave, 40th and Park)

Tafas v. Dudas

June 25, 2008

Fordham Law School (140 West 62nd Street, b/w Columbus and 10th)

Fashion and IP

Click HERE to Reserve Your Seat

** 2006-2007 YEAR IN REVIEW **

During the 2006 – 2007 season, the IIPS hosted eight seminars covering a vast array of relevant international IP topics presented by world-renowned experts. The events afforded attendees the opportunity to earn a total of fourteen (14) CLE credits, including two (2) ethics credits, and learn about current trends and issues and to participate in stimulating conversations with industry peers. Some of the highlights were:

A panel discussion on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) in Intellectual Property Disputes was held in September, 2006. Cheryl H. Agris, an arbitrator and mediator in IP matters, served as the moderator for the panel. Ignacio de Castro, Head of the Information and External Relations Section of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, and Peter L. Michaelson, an arbitrator and mediator of IP disputes, provided insights in a lively discussion. Attendees earned two (2) CLE credits.

 

An Update on Ethics in the Patent Field was presented in October, 2006 by Robert B. Levy, Esq., Senior Patent Counsel to Thomson Licensing Inc. Mr. Levy addressed recent decisions in the Federal Circuit and District Courts regarding inequitable conduct. Attendees earned two (2) non-transitional CLE credits.

A lecture on International Enforcement and Litigation Strategies was organized in November, 2006. The speaker was Shahan Islam, Esq., Senior Corporate Counsel in the IP Enforcement Group at Pfizer, Inc. He discussed the importance of governments to respect data exclusivity, to value safety issues on alternative third party forms of products, and to allow patents on subsequent developments of drugs. He also affirmed the importance for governments to uphold The World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). Attendees earned two (2) non-transitional CLE credits.

In December, the group was honored to host a dialogue on the U.S.P.T.O’s Strategic Initiatives with John Doll, U.S. Commissioner for Patents. Mr. Doll presented the latest issues and challenges faced by the U.S.P.T.O. and its strategies for the future. In addition, he welcomed questions from the audience on a variety of topics. Attendees earned one (1) non-transitional CLE credit.

A presentation on The Challenges of Outsourcing Legal and Patent Services was delivered on behalf of David Perla, Esq., Co-Chief Executive Officer of Pangea3 LLC in March, 2007. The presentation outlined the off-shore IP service industry which includes patent litigation support, patent analysis, and large-scale patent function outsourcing. The legal and regulatory issues faced by participants was also addressed. Attendees earned two (2) non-transitional CLE credits.

A seminar on Enforcing IP Rights in China was presented in April, 2007 by Dr. George G. Wang, Esq. of BEI & Ocean, a Chinese full-service patent firm. Dr. Wang addressed the current status of IP enforcement in China and then discussed the proposed Third Revision of Chinese patent law which is expected to take effect in 2008. Attendees earned one (1) non-transitional CLE credit.

In May, 2007, the IIPS had the honor of co-hosting a very successful event with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). An Update on the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks was delivered by Alan Datri, Senior Counselor in the Office of the Assistant Director General responsible for the Sector of Trademarks, Industrial Designs, and Geographical Indications at WIPO. He summarized recent developments concerning the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, including possible current recommendations under consideration by the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Legal Development of the Madrid System which if approved could dramatically change the acquisition, maintenance, and management of trademark rights under the jurisdiction of the Madrid Protocol. Attendees earned two (2) non-transitional CLE credits.

An update on The European Patent Court Proposal was delivered in June, 2007 by Wolfgang von Meiborn, Esq., Chairman of Bird & Bird’s offices in Germany and Joint Head of the firm’s International Intellectual Property Group. He discussed the proposal that is under consideration by the European Patent Court and the European Union that would modify the role of the European Patent Court so that it would serve as a combination of the enforcer of the European Patent Litigation Agreement (EPLA) and the Community Patent Court. Attendees earned two (2) non-transitional CLE credits.

The IIPS is planning an equally informative and stimulating set of events for the 2007 – 2008 season.

The IIPS welcomes new members who are interested in current IP topics. Membership in the IIPS (currently only $60 per year) entitles you to attend all regular meetings during the September, 2007 – September, 2008 season. Membership provides you with the opportunity to earn NY CLE credit on topics of interest for a fraction of the cost of other institutional CLE events. In addition, you will be exposed to world-renowned authorities in their fields and senior level international patent officers. There is also the opportunity to have dinner with the speakers and fellow industry peers to continue discussions in a more informal setting.

Please take this opportunity to join IIPS or renew your membership for the 2007 – 2008 season by returning the '07-'08 Membership Form with your nominal dues to Harris A. Wolin at Myers Wolin, LLC, 100 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to any of your colleagues that might be interested in joining the IIPS or attending our events.

The IIPS welcomes suggestions for future events and appreciates volunteers who would like to speak at IIPS seminars. If you are interested, please contact Harris A. Wolin at harris.wolin@myerswolin.com.

We look forward to seeing you during the 2007-2008 season.

Sincerely,

Harris A. Wolin
President and Treasurer