Timing: Tuesday 30 April 2013
Venue: Sixty One Whitehall, London SW1A 2ET
Guests of Honour: Dr Andrea Liesenfeld, Policy Affairs Officer, Industrial Policy Unit, Directorate-General for Internal Market and Services, European Commission; His Hon Judge Birss QC, Patents County Court and Sean Dennehey, Director of Patents, Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
Scheduled as the Intellectual Property Office continues to take forward ongoing measures in response to the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth – and as EU policymakers approach a finalised unitary patent system in 2014 – this seminar will bring together key industry stakeholders and intellectual property lawyers to assess the future of the UK patent framework. Sessions will focus on the year ahead for patent policy at both domestic and international levels, and will assess how reforms could promote innovation and growth in the UK economy, as well as ensure effective enforcement mechanisms for rights holders.
Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss proposals for operational reforms following on from Hargreaves’ recommendations – with particular reference to measures to reduce backlogs, improve registration quality and avoid “patent thickets”. Discussion will also assess the future of patent enforcement, looking at domestic changes to the Patent County Court, as well as how the forthcoming EU unitary patent court system can support UK interests. More details at www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk
