The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will be hosting a Symposium on Enhanced Patent Quality on April 27, 2016 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET in the Madison Auditorium at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The purpose of the Symposium is to provide an update about the USPTO's programs to enhance patent quality. There also will be a hands on workshop to showcase new ways that the USPTO will measure patent quality and a panel discussion with experienced practitioners about how applicants can strengthen their application filings. The Symposium will provide presentations on the following topics:
• Opening Remarks -- Before and After: How Is Enhanced Patent Quality Making a Difference -- Michelle Lee, Director of the USPTO
• Search & Training Enhancements -- Highlights include: Global Dossier and Clarity of the Record Training -- Maria Holtmann, Director of International Programs; and Don Hajec, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Patent Operations
• Prosecution Enhancements -- Highlights include: Clarity of the Record Pilot -- Robin Evans, Director, Technology Center 2800
• Post-examination Enhancements -- Highlights include: Post Grant Outcomes -- Jack Harvey, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Patent Operations
• Improving Evaluation of Examination -- Highlights include: Topic Submission for Case Studies and Big Data -- Brian Hanlon, Director of the Office of Patent Legal Administration
• Quality Metrics -- Improving Patent Quality Measurement -- Marty Rater, Chief Statistician, Office of Patent Quality Assurance
• Master Review Form (MRF) Hands-On Workshop -- Reviewing for Correctness, Clarity, and Consistency -- Sandie Spyrou, Supervisory Review Quality Assurance Specialist; and Kathleen Bragdon, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Quality
• MRF Report Out -- From the workshop
• Panel Discussion -- How Applicants Can File and Prosecute a Quality Application -- Russ Slifer, Deputy Director of the USPTO; Bill Bunker, Knobbe Marten; Rick Nydegger, Workman Nydegger; Kevin Noonan, MBHB; Laura Sheridan, Google; and Tim Wilson, SAS
• Q&A with Panel
The program will be free and open to the public. The event will also be webcast. Additional information about the Symposium, including registration information and details for accessing the webcast can be found here.
Comments