March 19, 2009 - Evaluating Software Patents Conference
Evaluating Software Patents
March 19, 2009
Wolf Law Building, University of Colorado at Boulder
Co-sponsored by the IP Section and Silicon Flatirons
Over the last several years, the Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit have taken a number of steps suggesting that the law governing software patents is still very much in flux. In terms of the scope of patent law's reach (Bilski) to applicable remedies (Ebay), the courts have taken seriously concerns about the state of the patent system and its impact on innovation in the software and information technology sectors. At the same time, Congress has considered a number of reform measures geared to address concerns that the patent system is rewarding bad patents and encouraging inefficient litigation.
In this conference, we evaluated both the premises underlying the call for a reform of software patents as well as some specific suggestions for changing how patents are granted and how patent litigation operates. In particular, we evaluated the role of software patents, whether patent litigation serves a constructive role in facilitating innovation and commercialization of new technologies, and whether patents play an important part in spurring the development of new technologies and enabling start-up firms to attract financing. It concluded with a roundtable of three leading commentators on the role of patents and innovation.
The Debate Over the Proper Scope of Patents
3:00pm - 4:10pm
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John Duffy
Professor of Law
George Washington University
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Damien Geradin
Professor of Competition Law and Economics
Tilburg University
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Geoff Manne
Director
LECG
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Michael Meurer
Professor of Law
Boston University
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Pam Samuelson
Professor of Law
University of California-Berkley
The Realities of Patent Litigation: A Search for Truth or Leverage for Patent Holders?
4:10pm - 5:10pm
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Mark Chandler
General Counsel
Cisco
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Natalie Hanlon-Leh
Partner
Faegre & Benson
Adjunct Faculty
University of Colorado
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Mark Lemley
William H. Neukom Professor of Law
Stanford University
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John Posthumus
Partner
Greenberg Traurig
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Don Rosenberg
General Counsel and Executive Vice President
Qualcomm
Patents, Start-up Companies, and Financing Decisions
5:20pm - 6:20pm
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Michael Crawford
Partner
Q Advisors
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Jason Haislmaier
Partner
Holme, Roberts & Owen
Adjunct Faculty
University of Colorado
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Jason Mendelson
Managing Director
Foundry Group
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Sean O'Connor
Associate Professor of Law
University of Washington
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Bill Vobach
Partner
Townsend and Townsend and Crew, LLP
Roundtable Discussion: Software Patents in Perspective
6:20pm - 7:00pm
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John Duffy
Professor of Law
George Washington University
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Bart Eppenauer
Associate General Counsel
Microsoft
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Mark Lemley
William H. Neukom Professor of Law
Stanford University
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Michael Meurer
Professor of Law
Boston University
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Joshua Wright
Professor of Law
George Mason University
Reception 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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