2017 CLE Calendar

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January 27 Noon (Belo)

An Egregious Case:  Willful Infringement After Halo Decision

Matt Acosta, Jackson Walker

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This presentation will address the Supreme Court’s decision in Halo Elecs., Inc. v. Pulse Elecs., Inc. and how it dismantled the Federal Circuit’s standard for willful patent infringement that had been established for nearly a decade.  In the six months following Halo, the Federal Circuit and district courts have struggled to define new standards that balance the rights of patent owners with the practicalities of doing business in the information age.  This seminar will discuss the post-Halo landscape, including conflicting standards adopted by lower courts throughout the country, and any necessary adaptations to best practices for patent owners and accused infringers.  Presentation materials, click here.

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​​February 24 (Belo)

Highsmith v. Getty Images – Representing America’s Photographer

James Gourley,  Carstens & Cahoon LLP

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This presentation will provide insights and experiences from the Highsmith v. Getty Images, Inc., et al., including a discussion of the copyright, trademark, open source licensing, and public domain issues involved in this case.  Come hear about the issues raised in this high profile case brought by one of America’s preeminent photographers alleging the improper licensing of her photographs by Getty and others, as well as the theories used to support a billion dollar damages model.

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​March 24 (Belo)

Maximizing Your Mediation

Jay Zeleskey, Zeleskey Mediations, LLC and 

William Cornelius, Wilson Robertson & Cornelius, P.C.

Vishal Patel, Thompson & Knight LLP, Moderator

 

Panel discussion on how to make  your IP mediation more productive and successful, including how to increase awareness of risks and how to persuade opposing parties, who are apt to be dismissive, about the merits of your case.  The discussion will touch on the following:  mediation strategies, tips for writing effective mediation statements, suggestions on identifying the key issues in the case, and the pros and cons of meeting jointly with the other side.

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April 28 (Belo)                    

“The Non-Doctrine of Redundancy” at the PTAB

Saurabh Vishnubhakat

Associate Professor of Law and Associate Professor of Engineering

Texas A&M University

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For over four years, the PTAB has been denying a growing number of requests for IPR and CBM review not because they lack merit, but because they are redundant to other, related requests.  Although the PTAB has denied the existence of any “redundancy” doctrine, its reasoning has created considerable controversy about unchecked agency discretion and the separation of powers.  This presentation will explain how redundancy-based denials work, offer empirical evidence of their use, and evaluate their legitimacy in the system of patent validity review created by the America Invents Act.

 

May 2 (Belo), Tuesday

"Lone Star Strategies for IP in China, What Texas Companies

Need to Know Now"

Information brochure here.

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM CT

Register here, deadline is April 28.

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​​May 26 - (Belo Lunch Meeting Cancelled)
 

June 12, 2017 (Belo)

Special CLE on TC Heartland​:  Patent Venue Issues After TC Heartland.

Is this the end of the Eastern District?

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Speakers

Doug Cawley (McKool Smith)

Ryan Wirtz (Ericsson)

Scott Burt (Conversant)

Wes Hill (Ward, Smith, and Hill)

Justin Cohen (Thompson & Knight)       

 

A discussion of U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in TC Heartland v. Kraft Food regarding the patent venue statute 28 U.S.C. 1400(b). The discussion will focus on the Court’s ruling regarding the definition of where a company “resides” for determining venue in patent cases, what does it mean to have an “established place of business” in a district under the statute, and procedural issues and strategies dealing with venue disputes for cases.

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June 15 - Ethics Presentation (rescheduled from June 23rd)

"In-House Counsel, Joint Development Agreements, Patent Agents, and Privilege:  New Cases and Recurring Problems” 

David Hricik, Professor

Mercer University School of Law

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This session will discuss recurring problems that arise during IP transactions and patent prosecution that result in loss of privilege, legal malpractice, and more.  Presentation slides here.

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July 28 - Supreme Court IP Update 

Belo (Noon)

"Intellectual Property Law Update on Recent Supreme Court Decisions"  

David Taylor, Professor, SMU Dedman School of Law (presentation, click here).

Kathryn (Kate) Swint, PirkeyBarber (presentation, click here).

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This session will review recent IP-related decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court. 

August 25 - (Belo)

"Top Ten Trademark Prosecution Mistakes"

Molly Richard, Richard Law Group

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This session will address the top ten mistakes made when filing and prosecution of a trademark application.  Learn from the mistakes made by other practitioners, as opposed to repeating them yourself. 

September 22 - (Belo) Joint IP Section/Dallas PTO CLE

Design Patents in the Automotive Industry 

Gunnar Heinisch, IP Counsel for Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Garth Rademaker, S.P.E. Technology Center 2900 (Design), US PTO

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The speakers will address practical and legal aspects of design patent applications and patents, particularly within the automotive industry.

 

October 18 - (ND CLE) (1.0 hr, Ethics) 8am-9am

Table Discussion on Ethical Issues and Client Representation Issues

Surrounding Attorney-Client Engagement Letters

Breakfast Provided (Free of Charge for DBA Members) 

1.0 Hrs. Ethics Credit (applied)

Location:  Blue Mesa Restaurant 14866 Montfort Dr  Dallas, TX 75254

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October 27 - (Belo) (1.5 hrs)

Administrative Law Fundamentals and Strategies for IP Lawyers

Donald Puckett, Nelson Bumgardner (presentation, click here)

Chris Rourk, Jackson Walker LLP  (presentation,click here)

Presentation will cover basic administrative law concepts and Administrative Procedure Act statutory provisions that arise frequently in the USPTO - including the new PTAB and TTAB trials, and also ex parte examination appeals. The CLE will cover recent case law developments on issues at the intersection of administrative law and intellectual property, and the speakers will discuss strategies that utilize administrative law to take your USPTO advocacy to the next level.

December 1 (Belo)

CLE & Annual Meeting and Approval of Officer/Directors for 2018 

"Notable Case Law Impacting Licensing 2017"

Jeffrey Whittle, Hogan Lovells - Houston

Presentation will cover notable case law that has impacted or will have an impact on licensing practice of intellectual property. 

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