Intellectual Property Section

The IP Section focuses on educational programs and the exchange of information about new or proposed developments in the intellectual property field. This field embraces patent, copyright and trademark matters as well as antitrust, trade secrets and unfair competition issues. The Section holds monthly luncheon meetings on topics in the field, bringing in national speakers.

Upcoming Events:

November IP Section Luncheon Event

THE INTERPLAY OF PATENTS AND STANDARDS

November 18, 2009; 11: 45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
CableLabs, Louisville, CO
Co-sponsored by Silicon Flatirons
1.5 CLE credits applied for

        Technologies often require a critical mass of adopters to succeed, and Standard Setting Organizations (SSOs) have assumed an increasingly critical role in this process.  In digital video, cable equipment, satellite communications, and 3G wireless technologies, for example, equipment makers, purchasers, and other interested parties have collaborated to set the standards that will be used for next generation products. 

        However, this process (where competitors agree on a standard to be adopted in advance) has led to charges of collusion in certain instances.  Some holders of intellectual property rights (IPRs) have also been accused of "patent hold-up."  This involves accusations that they withheld key information about their patents with the express purpose of demanding high royalties to use technology that becomes part of the standard.  SSOs have responded in various ways, such as requiring front-end disclosure of IPRs or an after-the-fact requirement to license IPRs at “reasonable and non-discriminatory” (RAND) terms and conditions.   

          We have brought together a world-class panel to address these issues.  They will weigh the benefits provided by SSOs with the problems associated with standards processes.  The panel will examine various strategies that have been proposed to address the concerns, and whether they are effective or counterproductive.  The panelists will provide both practical advice and policy insights to assess how certain trends will play out over time.  The event will be of interest to a wide range of practitioners, as we will open with a broad overview on the interplay between patents and standards.  The discussion will then turn to specific issues that will be of interest to more seasoned practitioners.

PANELISTS:
Jud Cary, Vice President Video Technology Policy and Deputy General Counsel, CableLabs
Aaron Brodsky, Director, IP Law Group, Sun Microsystems
Lexy DeVane¸ General Counsel, MPEG-LA
David Rudin, Senior Attorney, Microsoft Corporation

Cost: $35 for IP Section members and for Silicon Flatiron supporters, $45 for the general public, and CU/DU Law students are free. Includes a catered lunch and parking. RSVP by calling (303) 860-1115 ext. 727 or by emailing lunches@cobar.org before 2:00 p.m., on Monday, November 16, 2009.  Directions to CableLabs are available through this link: http://www.cablelabs.com/downloads/CL_Map.jpg.

Cancellations after Monday, November 16, 2009 and no-shows will be billed for the cost of the program. Checks can be sent to the Colorado Bar Association, 1900 Grant St., Suite 900, Denver, CO 80203. Also, please call or e-mail your RSVP when sending a check. Checks should be made payable to the CBA. If leaving a message, please spell your name, specify that you are attending the Intellectual Property Section November Luncheon, leave your phone number, and specify if you would prefer a vegetarian lunch.

 2009/2010 CBA IP Section Chair: Michael Drapkin, mldrapkin@townsend.com
CBA Staff Liaison: Melissa Nicoletti, melissan@cobar.org