C5 (UK) will be
holding its 7th International Forum on Freedom to Operate on May 26-27, 2010 in
Munich, Germany.  The conference
will provide practical advice on the biggest challenges facing freedom to
operate (FTO) assessments, including:

• How to
effectively manage the FTO process to ensure the lowest cost, the highest
value, and the lowest risk;
• The latest EPO,
U.S., and European national case law on claim interpretation and validity;
• The newest
developments with SPC's and the pediatric exemption;
• When to buy a
patent and when to license to best clear the developmental path;
• The latest on
gene and research tool patenting and how it affects the FTO process; and
• How to manage a
patent thicket.

In particular, C5
faculty will offer presentations on the following topics:

• Cost effective
and high value FTO assessment strategies: 
From searching to data retention;
• Patent validity
and FTO search interpretation;
• How to thin
patent thickets;
• Focus on U.S.
developments;
• Update on the law
of SPCs and how they affect FTO;
• Targeted patent
and IP acquisition;
• Gene patenting
and brave new worlds in FTO:  Where
are we now in Europe?
• Privilege and
confidentiality;
• Updates in patent
claim construction in the context of FTO;
• Changes in U.S.
Law:  Method patents and
legislative reform; and
• Supporting
evidence in patent applications.

An additional
workshop will be offered from 2:15 to 4:45 pm on May 27, 2010.  The workshop, entitled "Reading
and Analyzing Claims in Patents and Patent Applications for Establishing
FTO" will provide information and insights for effectively establishing
FTO.

A complete brochure
for this conference, including an agenda, list of speakers, and registration
form can be downloaded here.

The registration
fee is £1898 ($2,831.15) for the conference and workshop and £1399 ($2,149.33) for the conference alone. 
Those interested in registering for the conference can do so here, by calling +44 (0) 20
7878 6888, by faxing a registration form to +44 (0) 20 7878 6896, or by
e-mailing registrations@C5-Online.com.