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Vancouver Chapter Upcoming Events Recent and Proposed Changes to US Patent Practice The Vancouver chapter of the LICENSING EXECUTIVES SOCIETY invites all LES members and friends to a presentation by Laurie Axford and David Heckadon on some significant recent changes and proposed changes to patent practice/prosecution in the United States. DATE: TIME: PLACE: SUBJECT: Laurie and David will discuss a number of recent and proposed changes to US patent prosecution. They will discuss recent changes like “accelerated examination”, including how to get an Office Action within 1 year of filing, the requirements/documents to get accelerated examination, the pitfalls (costs, timing of responses, pre-agreements on restriction requirements, single invention claims, interviews, limits on number of claims) of accelerated examination, and when accelerated examination should/shouldn’t be used. They will also discuss proposed changes like the restrictions on continuations after the first one, new claim examination rules (10 representative claims to be examined first or need to file “examination support documentation”), new information disclosure rules, etc. Many of the changes could have a dramatic impact on how/when you file/prosecute patent applications and how you license your technology, so it would be very useful to be aware of them. SPEAKER: Laurie Axford is chair of Gordon & Rees LLP’s Intellectual Property group. Her practice focuses on all phases of patent prosecution, including forming initial patent strategies for new technologies and managing complex existing portfolios. She has written and prosecuted patents covering inventions relating to organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, nanotechnology, synthetic polymers, textiles, small molecules, assay devices, business methods, and drug delivery systems. Her industry focus includes a large cross-section of life science-related fields including diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices and consumer goods. Additionally, Laurie assists clients with highly complex patent issues including global licensing, litigation support, opinion work, post-prosecution proceedings (with a particular focus on reexaminations and international oppositions), business-related due diligence and other advanced-level matters for clients in the institutional, corporate and financial sectors. Laurie has a B.S. degree in microbiology and an M.S. degree in molecular biology from San Diego State University, and had a successful career as a scientist in one of the first biotechnology companies in San Diego prior to becoming an attorney. As an attorney, Laurie has served both as in-house patent counsel to a biotechnology company and in private practice. She is admitted to practice in California and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. David Heckadon's practice focuses on patent application and prosecution experience involving core technologies with invasive and non-invasive medical devices, microfluidics / micro electro mechanical systems, medical imaging and scanning devices, mechanical assembly and chemical analysis systems, mechanical systems and design patents. In addition to intellectual property disputes, David handles matters covering trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, licensing, technology transfer, and non-disclosure and non-compete agreements in global markets. David received his law degree from the University of Calgary. He holds an M.B.A, a Bachelor of Commerce with Honors and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Windsor. He is admitted to practice in California, in Ontario and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. COST: Please make cheques payable to the LES Vancouver Chapter, and send payment in advance to Lorraine Duke at the address below. PLEASE RSVP (with payment) no later than Wednesday, April 18, 2007 to: Lorraine Duke, Assistant to Hilton W.C. Sue WHO SHOULD ATTEND: THE LICENSING EXECUTIVES SOCIETY: THE LES VANCOUVER CHAPTER: |
