I want to encourage all who are able to attend an day-long program in Chicago next Friday June 8 sponsored by the ABA Litigation Section, IP Litigation Committee entitled Hot Topics In Intellectual Property Litigation.
The program at Schiff Hardin’s offices will blanket IP focusing on issues relating to copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and patent law. The luncheon speaker will be Judge Richard Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
The program will lead off with copyright with my ABA Copyright Subcommittee Co-Chair Dan Quick moderating. The three panelists, all copyright experts, are Matt Furton of Locke Lord, Carol Anne Been of SNR Denton and William McGrath of Davis McGrath.
This panel will discuss some interesting copyright litigation issues that have been in the news during this past year, including the rationale behind the Seventh Circuit’s presumption awarding defendants attorney’s fees for prevailing in a copyright case, and whether the presumption should continue to be applied; novel questions at the intersection of criminal and copyright law raised by the Megaupload indictment; and fair use and politics, including presidential candidates’ unauthorized use of copyrighted works.
The trademark program will focus on enforcement across borders. The fine panelists are Joan K. Archer of Lathrop & Gage, M. Kelly Tillery of Pepper Hamilton and Lisa M. Tittemore of Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers. The panel will also cover trends in the area of U.S. dilution law; intellectual property protection for the “look and feel” of websites; and enforcement of trademark rights in the new “Wild, Wild West.”
The trade secret and patent panels look equally interesting. And of course hearing from Judge Posner is a treat without more. The Hot Topics Brochure is here.
The day-long program cost, including a cocktail reception at the close, is only $125 for Litigation Section members. Thanks to Michael D. Steger and his committee colleagues for putting this excellent program together. Questions, contact Mike.