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The Twin Cities IEEE Technology Management
Council invites you to attend
a presentation:
Date: Tuesday 17 Nov 2009 6:00 PM
Topic: New Developments in Patent Law
Presented by: Clara Davis, Ph.D.
Location: Southdale Library - Helen Young Meeting Room
Schedule:
6:00 - 6:30 - Networking
6:30 - 7:30 - Presentation and Discussion
7:30 - 8:00 - Questions / Wrap up
Presentation Overview:
Over the past few years, all three branches of the U.S. government have
rendered decisions, promulgated rules or introduced legislation intended to
weaken the effect of patents. These changes have created much controversy
among people working in the field of patent law as well as some patent
owners. Some of the changes proposed or implemented may be attributed to
the anti-plaintiff sentiment which took hold in Washington during the
previous administration. More significantly, at least some of the changes
were introduced due to lobbying efforts by the tech industry (large computer
and software companies) and are considered to be unfavorable to individual
inventors and smaller companies.
In a recent string of cases, the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Circuit
decisions have tilted significantly toward weaker patent rights. In
addition, significant modifications to patent law are currently being
considered by U.S. House and Senate committees. Among other changes, this
proposed legislation would place limitations on damages awards, convert the
U.S. patent system to a first-to-file system rather than a first-to-invent
system, and place limitations on venue for patent litigation.
The discussion will first provide a brief review of patent law, recent court
decisions that have altered the patent landscape, legislative patent reform
currently being debated, and changes implemented by the new director of the
US Patent Trademark Office.
About the speaker:
Clara Davis, Ph.D., J.D. member IEEE, is a patent attorney and shareholder
with the law firm of Hollingsworth & Funk in Minneapolis. Before becoming
an attorney, she worked for twelve years as a design engineer, researcher,
and college professor. Clara has been an attorney since 1995 and enjoys
helping her clients obtain patent protection for their inventions, perform
product clearance, identify and assess competitor infringement, and develop
strategic patent portfolios.
Location: Southdale Library - Ethel Berry Meeting Room
7001 York Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 847-5900
South west corner of York Ave S and W 70th St.
Directions: From Minneapolis: Drive
West on I-94 from downtown Minneapolis to I394. Go West to Highway 100 and
go South to 50 th street. Exit and go right (West) several blocks to the
library. Alternate route – Drive South out of Downtown Minneapolis on I35W
until you get to the Cross-town Highway (Highway 62) and go West. Note, this
is a challenging approach as these highways are under construction. Go South
on 100 to 50 th street and exit. Follow prior directions.
From St. Paul I-94: Go West through St. Paul on I-94 to downtown Minneapolis
and then go West on I394 to Highway 100. Follow prior directions.
From St. Paul I-35W North Area: Take I35W South to down town Minneapolis and
go West on I94 through downtown to I394 West. Exit I394 by going South on
Highway 100 and follow prior directions.
From Bloomington: Go North on I-35W to I494 and turn West until Highway 100.
Turn North on 100 and go to the 50 th Street exit. Follow prior
instructions.
Registration:
Please pre-register before noon on Sept 21 by using the online
registration form at:
http://www.tc-ieee-ems.org/meetingregistration.htm
For more information about the meeting call Dave Hendrickson at
(612)709-7675 or email daveh(REMOVE THIS PART)ATcomputer.org
For further information about the Twin Cities IEEE Technology Management
Council Chapter, see our web site at
http://www.tc-ieee-ems.org/
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