ABA-IPL eNews August 2024

Register today for these fall programs of the ABA-IPL Section

September 16-17, 2024

Learn first-hand from USPTO trademark officials at the 12th Annual ABA-IPL Trademark Days at the USPTO

Get ready for an insightful journey at the 12th Annual Trademark Days with the USPTO, proudly presented by the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law in coordination with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Join us for two days of in-person programming and networking at the USPTO offices in Alexandria, Virginia.

Program Highlights:

• Updates from the Trademark Office
• Trademark Trial and Appeal Board hearing
• Tips for Effective USPTO/Practitioner Communications
• Interactive Hands-on Workshop for Advanced Searching and Responsible Use of Search Technology

This year’s event features a focused track of mid-level to experienced practitioner-level programming and networking events each day. The program will be conducted IN-PERSON only, offering you a unique opportunity to hear the latest trademark information directly from the USPTO.

Don’t miss out! Register today and be part of this enriching experience!

October 14-15, 2024

2024 Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute

The ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law is pleased to co-sponsor, along with the ABA Section of Science & Technology Law, the 2024 Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute, October 14-15, 2024 at Santa Clara University School of Law in Santa Clara, CA.

AI is transforming our world and creating vast and challenging legal implications for lawyers and clients in every industry. Discover indispensable insights and strategic approaches to complex issues at the ABA’s 6th annual AI and Robotics National Institute.

Don't miss your chance to:

• Choose one of two breakout tracks on AI’s early legal flashpoints:
  • (1) intellectual property and 
  • (2) data protection (three 1-hour sessions on Monday afternoon)
• Tackle additional hot topics: differentiating between types of AI (including GenAI) and their legal and ethical issues; defeating deepfakes; tracking the latest AI laws, regs, and standards; trusting electronic agents; integrating robots and their built-in legal questions; fast forwarding with prompt engineering (what’s a lawyer to do?); peering into the AI-powered future; and more.
• Experience four thought-provoking keynotes from AI luminaries
• Earn 10 CLE credit hours (including ethics)
• Expand your network in the heart of Silicon Valley, and meet authors of the new ABA book: Artificial Intelligence: Legal Issues, Policy, and Practical Strategies 

ABA-IPL Section members are eligible for the discounted section member rate of $850. For further information and to register, visit the 2024 Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute web page.

November 14-16, 2024

Bright Lights, Big Opportunities: Best Bets in IP, Sports, and Entertainment Law

The ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law and the ABA Forum on Entertainment & Sports Law present Bright Lights, Big Opportunities: Best Bets in IP, Sports, and Entertainment Law— an unparalleled conference experience at Resorts World Las Vegas this fall. The conference will provide legal insights for emerging technologies and new business with dedicated CLE tracks in sports, intellectual property (IP), and entertainment law.

What to Expect:

• Dive deep into legal insights across emerging technologies with dedicated Continuing Legal Education (CLE) tracks in sports, intellectual property (IP), and entertainment law.
• Capitalize on unique networking opportunities with corporate counsel, leading practitioners, and prominent sponsors in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
• Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes activities, including tours of the Sphere and Ainsworth Gaming’s design and manufacturing facilities.   

Why Attend? 

• Golden opportunity for professionals in  entertainment, sports law, and intellectual property law to converge,  share insights, and learn from the best in the industry.
• Enhance your professional knowledge, expand your network, and provide actionable insights that you can apply to your practice or business.
• Las Vegas, with its dynamic atmosphere and state-of-the-art venues, offers the perfect backdrop for learning and leisure.

Don’t miss this unique conference experience. Register today!

We gratefully acknowledge our Sponsors:

• Diamond Level
  • Greenberg Traurig LLP
• Gold Level
  • Barnes & Thornburg LLP
  • Stout 
• Exhibitor
  • Procirrus Cloud Technologies

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For sponsorship details, please contact [email protected] by October 1.

Mark your calendars

IPLSPRING – 2025 ABA-IPL Section Annual Meeting

April 30-May 2, 2025
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel
Arlington, VA

Get ready for an enriching experience at IPLSpring! Dive into the latest updates in intellectual property law with two informative days of CLE programming.

But that’s not all! Alongside an impressive lineup of educational sessions, you’ll enjoy engaging luncheons with insightful guest speakers and a line up of social networking events designed to connect you with industry leaders and peers.

Don’t miss out! Mark your calendars for April 30-May 2, 2025, and stay tuned to the Section website for all the exciting details as they unfold

ABA-IPL New Leadership

Susan McGahan takes helm as new Section Chair

Susan McGahan, Bedminster, NJ is the new Chair of the Section. Previously, she was Chair-Elect, and Vice Chair of the Section. Ms. McGahan also served as the Revenue Officer for the Section for three years. Prior to that she was Vice Chair of the Revenue Committee, and served as a member of that committee (formerly the Sponsorship Committee) for five years. She served as Secretary of the Section for two years, Membership Officer for four years, and Financial Officer for three years. She was a member of the Section Council for six years. She has also been a member of the CLE Board, the Membership Board, the FADIPL Board of Trustees, the Content Advisory Board, the Nominating Committee, the former Newsletter Committee, and the In-House Counsel Committee. She has chaired the Professional Issues Division, the former Publications Division, the former Membership Committee, and the former Young Lawyers Committee.

Robert Lytle elected as Chair-Elect

Robert Lytle, Redmond, WA, was elected as Chair-Elect of the Section. Mr. Lytle was previously Vice Chair for one year, and the Revenue Officer for two years. He was the Financial Officer for two years. He served as Financial Officer-Elect prior to becoming Financial Officer. He served as a vice-chair of the Patents Division. He has served on the Books Editorial Board for six years, the Revenue Committee for three years, and the Investments Committee for three years. He was co-chair of the Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee for two years.

Joshua Simmons elected as Vice Chair of Section

Joshua Simmons, New York, NY, was elected as Vice Chair of the Section. Previously, he served as Secretary of the Section for three years. He served as the Chair of the Policy Advisory and Development Committee for two years, and Chair and member of the House of Delegates Resolutions Committee for three years. He chaired the Copyright Law Reform Task Force for five years. He served as a member of the Section Council for four years. He was both Chair and Vice Chair of the Copyrights Division. He served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Copyright and Social Media Committee.

2025 Mark T. Banner Award - Call for Nominations

This award is for an individual or group that has made an impact on intellectual property law and/or practice. Candidates will have expressed a clear passion and enthusiasm for, and advanced the practice, profession, and/or substance of, IP law through extraordinary contributions to, among other things, teaching, scholarship, innovation, legislation, advocacy, bar or other association activities, or the judiciary.

The award is open to the widest range of individuals and there is no requirement to be a lawyer or ABA member. Self-nominations are welcome.

Nominations Open Monday, August 26, 2024 — through Monday October 7.

ABA-IPL Section co-sponsors IP CLE Conference (CLE & Ski) in January

January 8-11, 2025

The ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law is happy to once again co-sponsor the IP CLE Conference, January 8-11, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt, Vail, Colorado. Hear from distinguished intellectual property experts including regulators, judges, and in-house counsel in the morning and late afternoon, and enjoy Vail and the world-class slopes during the day.

Expert presenters will engage in lively discussions about the hottest topics in IP law. In addition, two hours of programming for ethics credit will be offered. Topics will cover the range of IP law, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, AI, in-house perspectives, antitrust and IP, and others.

Participants can earn MCLE credit, make connections, and broaden their knowledge. Visit the IP CLE website for program and registration information, and to register.

ABA-IPL Divisions and Committees for 2024-2025

All Section members are encouraged to review the committees and select and join those on which they wish to serve, and which are of interest to them. If you are already a member of one of the existing committees, you are carried over as a member in the new association year.

Patents Division

• Patent Legislation Committee [join]
• International Patent Laws Committee [join]
• USPTO Ex Parte Patent and Policy Practice [join]
• USPTO Post Grant Patent Practice and Policy Committee [join]
• Chemical and Life Science Patent Committee [join]
• Patent Litigation Committee [join]
• Patent System Planning Committee [join]
• High Tech and Software Patent Committee [join]

Trademarks Division

• Trademark Legislation Committee [join]
• International Trademark Laws Committee [join]
• USPTO Trademark Practice and Policy Committee [join]
• Trademark Litigation Committee [join]
• Trademarks and the Internet Committee [join]
• Advertising and Marketing Law Committee [join]

Copyrights Division

• Copyright Legislation Committee [join]
• International Copyright Laws Committee [join]
• Copyright Office Affairs Committee [join]
• Visual Arts and Dramatic Works Committee [join]
• Copyright and Social Media Committee [join]
• Copyright and Emerging Technology Committee [join]
• Music and Performing Arts Committee [join]
• Copyright Litigation Committee [join]
• Literary Works Committee [join]

Specialized IP Law Division

• Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee [join]
• Antitrust Interface Committee [join]
• Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee [join]
• Design Rights Committee [join]
• Privacy and Publicity Rights Committee [join]
• Digital Games and New Media Committee [join]
• Information Technology Committee [join]
• Fashion Committee [join]

Professional Issues Division

• Law Practice Management Committee [join]
• Pro Bono Committee [join]
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee [join]
• Attorney Wellness Committee [join]

Business and Trade Division

• IP Transactions and Licensing Committee [join]
• International Trade Commission Committee [join]
• China IP Issues Committee [join]
• Government IP Rights Committee [join]
• Monetization and Valuation of IP Committee [join]
• In-House IP Committee [join]
• Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Committee [join]

Become a Voting Committee Member for 2024-2025

Take advantage of an opportunity to participate in developing Section policy and sign up as a voting member of your committee. Voting members will be asked to study the policy issues of the committee and vote on the reports in a timely and responsive manner. Any lawyer member of a committee is welcome to sign up to be a voting member of the committee.

Committee members who choose not to enroll as a voting member can still participate in all other committee activities and receive any committee updates and information.

Details of Committee Voting Membership:

• Committee members may sign up throughout the entire year. Once a committee begins deliberations on a particular resolution, no new voting members will be allowed to subscribe for the purpose of voting on that particular resolution. The committee chair determines the date on which deliberations have begun.

• Members may opt out of being a voting member at any time by notifying the Committee Chair. Those opting out of voting membership will still retain their membership in the committee.

• A valid vote on a committee resolution will consist of a majority of a quorum of the voting committee members. There is no upper limit, nor lower limit to the number of people who may subscribe to be voting members on a particular committee.

• Only lawyer members of the committee are eligible to be become voting members of the committee.

• Voting members will receive a communication from the Committee Chair once voting begins, requesting a vote by a date-certain. Voting members not submitting a vote by a requested date for two successive resolution vote calls will revert to regular membership of the committee, and will need to re-subscribe as a voting member.

• The committee rosters, including the roster of voting committee members will roll over to subsequent years. There is no need to re-subscribe as a voting committee member with each new Association year.
• Voting members who do not vote two times in a row will be removed from the voting member roster.

Please remember to notify the ABA if your email address changes by logging in to your “myABA” page on the ABA website or calling the ABA Member Service Center at (800) 285-2221.

Stay Connected…

ABA-IPL Action Groups

Access leadership opportunities and amplify your voice by joining and becoming involved in one of the ABA-IPL Section Action Groups. Engage with your peers in one or more Action Groups for immediate networking and leadership opportunities.

Section Action Groups include:

• Women in IP Law Action Group
• Diversity Action Group
• Young Lawyers Action Group
• Law Student Action Group
• International Action Group

Donate to the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP)

Your donation to the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program (JIOP) helps ensure that funding is available for students who are members of racial and ethnic groups, and others that are traditionally underrepresented in the profession, including students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, students who identify as LGBT, women, and veterans.

Last year, more than 770 students applied to the program. JIOP placed 186 students with 139 judges. Students placed represented 79 different law schools. The JIOP IP program continues to grow with 28 judges requesting students with background or interest in intellectual property law. 130 of the 770 applicants showed interest with 58 of those students attaching additional background and statements supporting their experience. We placed a total of 32 IP students.

All ABA-IPL Section members are encouraged to show their support and donate to the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program.

Donate to the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law

ABA-IPL Section members are encouraged to donate to the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law (“the Foundation”, or “FADIPL”) to help support its mission.

The Foundation’s mission is to offer career-preparation, career-readiness, and career-advancement support to individuals who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in intellectual property law profession in the United States.

The Foundation’s Programs work toward:

• Recruiting individuals who identify as members of  racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession to consider exploring careers in patent law and other areas of IP law.
• Providing career-preparation and career-readiness support, as well as financial support, to individuals identified as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession who demonstrate an interest in a career in IP law.
• Accelerating the development of a more diverse IP professional community through networking, counseling, and mentoring efforts aimed at fostering career advancement of individuals identifying as members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the IP law profession in the United States.

Individuals interested in donating can visit the FADIPL support page.

Topic Suggestions?

We welcome your feedback on topics you would like to see covered in E-News.  Please email Mike Winkler at [email protected] with your suggestions.  

ABA-IPL webinars are free to Section members

All IPL Section webinars are free to Section members.

Register and participate to take advantage of this valuable member benefit.

ABA-IPL provides compelling CLE-accredited webinars that cover a broad range of IP issues. Mark your calendars for these upcoming webinars. Watch the events page on the Section website for information on all upcoming programs and events, and to register. As a special benefit of membership in the ABA-IPL Section, members are able to participate in all ABA-IPL Section webinars for free.

The Role of Consumer Surveys in IP Litigation

October 24, 2024   12 p.m. (Eastern)

New From ABA-IPL Publishing

Section 337 Investigations Before the U.S. International Trade Commission

What is Trademark - Fifth Edition

Biosimilars Litigation and Client Counseling

ABA Bestseller

The Tech Contracts Handbook

Learn more about the bestselling book

Now Available from ABA-IPL

What Is A Patent 4th Edition

From ABA-IPL Publishing

Antitrust Issues in Intellectual Property Law, Second Edition

Fourth editions of this popular series for you and your clients.

What is a Copyright, Fourth Edition

What Is a Trademark, Fourth Edition

A Comprehensive Patent Practice Form Book

The Practitioner's Guide to the PCT (Second Edition)

Patent Claim Drafting Practice: Tactics, Strategy, and Analysis

ABA membership available for groups

Firm, Company, or Government Group Membership

When your firm or organization chooses to join the American Bar Association, we provide resources for making membership in the ABA easier.

Over 2,000 firms and organizations have already joined the program to enjoy many benefits:

• Reduce administrative paperwork through a single annual invoice for all members of your organization; say goodbye to individual employee reimbursements!
• Enjoy dedicated account service from a team of ABA specialists to serve your unique needs

For further information and to enroll your firm or company in the full-firm membership program, check out the special enrollment form.

Promote Yourself as a Proud Member of the ABA

Put your ABA Membership to work by displaying the new ABA Member Logo to signify your commitment to excellence in the practice of law.

As an ABA Member in good standing, you are encouraged to use this distinguished mark in professional activities to set yourself apart from non-member practitioners in the marketplace.

The ABA Member Logo may appear on:

• Business cards
• Brochures
• PowerPoint presentations
• Letterhead
• Envelopes
• External and internal communications
• Webpages
• Social media
• Print advertising
• Email signatures

Start Using the New ABA Member Logo Today!

Be sure to stay connected!

Does the ABA have your email address?

You may be missing out on important e-mailings from both the ABA and the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law. Please be sure your email address is on file and up-to-date!

By phone: ABA Member Services at 1.800.285.2221 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., CST

By USPS: ABA Membership Services, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7598

By e-mail: [email protected]. or go to ABA "contact us” link.

Online: (1) Go to the ABA homepage (www.americanbar.org), (2) Login, (3) Locate MyABA link (top left of the page), (4) EDIT within the profile module, and (5) update email address .

Section Officers:

Chair

Susan E. McGahan
AT&T
Bedminster, NJ

Chair-Elect

Robert Lytle
Microsoft
Redmond, WA

Vice-Chair

Joshua Simmons
Kirkland & Ellis
New York, NY

Secretary

Paul Morico
Baker Botts LLP
Houston, TX

Financial Officer

Richard Stockton
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Chicago, IL

Revenue Officer

Tammy Pennington-Rhodes
Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, LLP
Washington, DC

Membership Officer

Rivka Monheit
Pabst Patent Group LLP
Atlanta, GA

Diversity Officer

Nicole D. Galli
ND Galli Law LLC
Philadelphia, PA

Publications Officer

Adrienne R. Fields
The Law Offices of Adrienne R. Fields
New York, NY

CLE Officer

Christopher Ponder
Sheppard Mullin
Palo Alto, CA

Section Delegates to
The House of Delegates

Lisa A. Dunner (2025)
Dunner Law PLLC
Washington, DC

Adriana Suringa Luedke (2026)
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Bethesda, MD

William L. LaFuze (2027)
McKool Smith
Houston, TX

Immediate Past Chair

Steven P. Caltrider
Eli Lilly and Company
Indianapolis, IN

Contact Us

ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law
312.988.6254
[email protected]
www.americanbar.org/iplaw