Recapping This Year’s AIPLA Annual Conference
Posted on Nov 17, 2022 in Blog
Caesar Rivise’s Scott Slomowitz attended the AIPLA Annual Conference just outside Washington D.C. October 26-29, 2022 where the AIPLA also celebrated its 125th Anniversary. The topics presented in all aspects of intellectual property (IP) were very interesting such as discussion about the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2022 (sponsored by Senators Tillis and Coons) and the newly-formed Council for Innovation Promotion, the latest data on the Copyright Claims Board and its filing/hearing processes, the latest on artificial intelligence and the patenting process, the PTO exploring the creation of a “design patent bar” where members would not be required to have a technical background nor pass an examination as with the patent bar, the details of Trademark Modernization Act expungement and reexamination proceedings, along with a reminder that extensions of time in responses to trademark office actions starts Dec. 3, 2022. And of course, the year-in-review for patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets on the last day of the Conference was very informative as always. The Director of the PTO, Kathi Vidal, gave the Opening Plenary remarks and discussed the latest activities going on at the PTO and her plans for its continued growth. Chief Judge Kimberly Moore of the Federal Circuit spoke at the October 27th luncheon about her career, her appointment to the CAFC and even gave a very interesting history about a building that the Federal Circuit was housed in which was also the first headquarters for NASA and all of the NASA paraphernalia throughout the building, pertinent to her electrical engineering background.
Certainly, catching up with other IP colleagues and international IP associates, as well as meeting new ones, is always a big plus by attending the Conference in-person. Among all of the exhibitors at the Conference, a USPTO booth on the Conference floor allowed attendees to discuss the latest USPTO programs with USPTO reps, including questions about the new Patent Public Search system.
It is always rewarding to come away with a better understanding of the latest in IP law, both in the U.S. and worldwide, making new connections, and strengthening existing connections, with fellow AIPLA members.
