Thanks to the distinguished leadership of past chair Steve Caltrider, the Section realized great achievements this association year marked by dynamic engagement, significant advocacy efforts, and valuable contributions to the IP field. Essential to this success was the tireless work by ABA-IPL’s divisions, committees, action groups, task forces, and boards.
Advocacy Highlights
In working to help shape IP law, the Section provided valuable input to government agencies. Legislative consultant Chris Katopis headed a collaborative effort with many of the committees and leaders as they participated in drafting and/or presenting notable advocacy letters and comments.
- October 2023: Letter to the U.S. Copyright Office on AI (Chad Rutkowski, Copyright and Emerging Technology Committee); and comments to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Commissioner for Trademarks regarding changes to the duration of attorney recognition (Matt Hintz, USPTO Trademark Practice and Policy Committee)
- November 2023: Letter to the chair and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Intellectual Property to express support for the Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (SHOP SAFE) Act of 2023 (James Bikoff, Trademarks Division) ; and letter to the USPTO regarding rules governing preissuance internal circulation and review of decisions within the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) (Jonathan Bowser, Patents Division)
- January 2024: Letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce regarding the guidance framework for considering the exercise of Bayh-Dole Act “march-in rights” (Judge Susan Braden, Anshul Mehra, Government IP Rights Committee); and letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding access and benefit sharing commitments and regimes and other commitments in the WHO Pandemic Agreement (Stephanie Riley, Patent Legislation Committee)
- February 2024: Letter to the U.S. Copyright Office regarding group registration options for frequently updated news websites (Regan Smith, Copyright Legislation Committee)
- April 2024: Comments to the USPTO on inventorship guidance for AI-assisted inventions (Stanton Weinstein, Stephen Chow, Brian Rosenbloom, Section AI Task Force)
- May 2024: Comments to the USPTO on proposed rulemaking for motion to amend practice and procedures in trial proceedings under the America Invents Act before the PTAB (Ryan Miller, USPTO Post-Grant Patent Practice and Policy Committee)
- May 2024: Comments to the USPTO on unlocking the full potential of IP by translating more innovation to the marketplace (Kristine Boylan, Allen Baum, IP Transactions and Licensing Committee)
- May 2024: Comments to the USPTO regarding expanding opportunities to appear before the PTAB (Blaine Hackman, USPTO Post-Grant Patent Practice and Policy Committee)
- May 2024: Comments to the USPTO regarding setting and adjusting trademark fees during fiscal year 2025 (USPTO Trademark Practice and Policy Committee)
- June 2024: Letter to the USPTO regarding setting and adjusting patent fees during fiscal year 2025 (Lauren Mitchell, Ryan Marshall, Patent System Policy Planning Committee)
Read more on the Section’s advocacy initiatives.
Outreach and Collaboration
We regularly collaborate with our colleagues in other IP organizations, resulting in fruitful initiatives.
- Asia/Pacific Conference in South Korea, cosponsored with the ABA International Law Section
- ABA-IPL Section Annual Meeting in Bethesda, cosponsored with the ABA Science & Technology Law Section and fostering global dialogue on law and technology
- Long-standing cosponsorship with both the IP & Ski Conference and the Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property & Technology Law Institute
Membership Growth and Diversity
The Membership Board continues to strengthen ABA-IPL’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- As the Section’s first diversity officer, Nicole Galli is leading new diversity and communication efforts that include supporting five action groups (Law Students, Young Lawyers, International Associates, Women in IP Law, and Diversity).
- ABA-IPL champions the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program and the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law (FADIPL) and hosts FADIPL scholars at our Section Annual Meeting.
- This is the 19th year of developing leadership through the Young Lawyer Fellows Program. We are proud to have witnessed one of our Section’s first young lawyer fellows, Kim Jessum, become chair of our Section and now chair of the ABA Section Officers conference.
Education and Value
The ABA-IPL Section offers a wealth of expert content, educational opportunities, and practice resources aimed at furthering the IP profession.
- Landslide® magazine continues in its 17th year as the Section’s high-profile magazine, a complimentary benefit for all ABA-IPL members. With this issue, Landslide is coming to you in an expanded digital-only format.
- Our robust books portfolio features more than 70 books in both print and e-book formats on topics covering the range of IP and authored by the experts in the profession. Check out our portfolio on the ABA-IPL Books page and take advantage of member discounts.
As a premier source for IP law education, the Section produces educational programs that address the whole IP spectrum. Highlights of the past year included:
- September 2023: 7th Annual IP Fall Institute (virtual CLE program); and 11th Annual ABA-IPL Trademark Days, cosponsored with the USPTO (virtual/live program)
- December 2023: Copyright Day, developed by the Section’s Copyright Office Affairs Committee, where Section leaders engaged in discussion with top officials in the U.S. Copyright Office
- February–March 2024: Inaugural virtual eight-session series, “ABA-IPL Solutions for IP Legal Professionals,” addressing essential topics for IP professionals
Be sure to join us for these new programs coming soon in the fall:
- October 14–15, 2024: Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law, cohosted with the ABA Science & Technology Law Section
- November 14–16, 2024: In-person three-day event in Las Vegas, cosponsored with the ABA Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries
Join Us
Thank you for your membership and dedication to the ABA-IPL Section. Please continue to participate with us to build on these successes as we grow our profession and offer new opportunities for you and your practice. If anyone has an interest in participating in Section activities, please email me.
I look forward to connecting with many of you during the year!