ABA Webinar on the Patentability of Products of Nature

The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Intellectual Property Law; Criminal Justice Section; Section of Science & Technology Law; Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; and Center for Continuing Legal Education will be offering a live webinar entitled "Are Products of Nature Patentable Subject Matter?" on July 20, 2011 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM (Eastern).  Lawrence S. Pope (moderator); John L. Hendricks of Hitchcock Evert LLP; Professor Eileen M. Kane, Penn State, Dickinson School of Law; Patent Docs author Dr. Kevin E. Noonan of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP; and Jacqueline D. Wright Bonilla of Foley & Lardner LLP, will discuss whether "products of nature" (e.g., genetic material) constitute patentable subject matter, the various approaches to this issue over the last century, and how this issue affects us today.  The panel will also discuss the recent Myriad decision that held that isolated DNA did not qualify as patentable subject matter, including:

• Providing a summary of the court's holdings and rationale;
• Analyzing the "products of nature" exception to patentability on which the court relied;
• Discussing the proper patentability standard to apply to "products of nature"; and,
• Discussing how that standard might affect patent prosecution and litigation in the biotechnology field.

The registration fee for the webcast is $95 for members of any of the sections sponsoring the webinar, $99 for government attorneys, $150 for ABA members, and $195 for the general public (for group fee options, please visit the event website).  Those interested in registering for the webinar, can do so here or by calling 800-285-2221.

Comments

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"Patent Docs author Dr. Kevin E. Noonan of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP; and Jacqueline D. Wright Bonilla of Foley & Lardner LLP, will discuss whether "products of nature" (e.g., genetic material) constitute patentable subject matter, "

And he's going to say N O. Right? Right?

Seriously though, when is the Myriad decision probably going to come out?

[Patent drafting girl]

I actually think this webinar would be an interesting one to attend. With how many new advances we are having with DNA I have a feeling there is some debate as to whether "products of nature" are patentable. I have my own opinions, but I would like to see what others have to say about it and the actual legal decision on it.