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FTC to hold another in Series of Hearings on Evolving Intellectual Property Marketplace
The Federal Trade Commission announced the second in a series of public hearings exploring the evolving market for intellectual property (IP). These hearings, to be held February 11 and 12, 2009 in Washington D.C., will examine remedies for patent infringement.
The Feb 11 hearing will address patent damages, including the standards that govern such assessments, the application of these standards in court proceedings, and the impact of the resulting awards on business activity, including licensing and innovation. The hearing on Feb 12 will focus on permanent injunctions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's eBay decision and willful infringement. Panelists will consider, among other issues, the criteria courts have considered in deciding whether to grant or deny an injunction and the effect of these legal doctrines on innovation and business strategies. An agenda for the hearings is available on the FTC's Web site: http://www.ftc.gov/bc/workshops/ipmarketplace/ .
The Feb 11 hearing will address patent damages, including the standards that govern such assessments, the application of these standards in court proceedings, and the impact of the resulting awards on business activity, including licensing and innovation. The hearing on Feb 12 will focus on permanent injunctions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's eBay decision and willful infringement. Panelists will consider, among other issues, the criteria courts have considered in deciding whether to grant or deny an injunction and the effect of these legal doctrines on innovation and business strategies. An agenda for the hearings is available on the FTC's Web site: http://www.ftc.gov/bc/workshops/ipmarketplace/ .
New Acting Director of US Patent & Trademark Office
As of today, with President Obama taking charge of the White House, and the Bush administration appointments moved-out, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has a new Acting Director, John Doll. Mr. Doll is also considered the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property as re-structured under the Bush White House. The official website of USPTO, explains the new rolls of Mr. Doll (who has been Deputy Director, for awhile now, and has worked at the U.S. Patent Office since 1974, starting as a Patent Examiner):
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Serving as Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property . . . Mr. Doll advises the President, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Administration about intellectual property matters. As Acting Director of the USPTO, he administers the laws of granting patents and trademarks, and the day-to-day management of the $2 billion agency and its more than 9,500 employees.
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Mr. Doll received a bachelor of science from Bowling Green State University in chemistry and physics, and a master of science from The Pennsylvania State University in physical chemistry.
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Rumblings about a more-permanent replacement for outgoing Director Jon Dudas, PatentlyO blog surmises:
John Thompson, CEO of Symantec may be appointed as the next Secretary of Commerce. . . . Symantec is a leading member of the "Coalition for Patent Fairness." The Coalition is a lobbying group pushing for reduced patent damages awards, reduced ability to forum shop, and an invigorated system for post-grant challenges to asserted patents. [LINK] Previously, the Coalition also supported eBay and reduced willfulness findings. . . . .
These days especially--with the economy as it is--we should be looking for policies that reflect a balancing-of-interests all throughout the federal government.
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Serving as Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property . . . Mr. Doll advises the President, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Administration about intellectual property matters. As Acting Director of the USPTO, he administers the laws of granting patents and trademarks, and the day-to-day management of the $2 billion agency and its more than 9,500 employees.
. . .
Mr. Doll received a bachelor of science from Bowling Green State University in chemistry and physics, and a master of science from The Pennsylvania State University in physical chemistry.
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Rumblings about a more-permanent replacement for outgoing Director Jon Dudas, PatentlyO blog surmises:
John Thompson, CEO of Symantec may be appointed as the next Secretary of Commerce. . . . Symantec is a leading member of the "Coalition for Patent Fairness." The Coalition is a lobbying group pushing for reduced patent damages awards, reduced ability to forum shop, and an invigorated system for post-grant challenges to asserted patents. [LINK] Previously, the Coalition also supported eBay and reduced willfulness findings. . . . .
These days especially--with the economy as it is--we should be looking for policies that reflect a balancing-of-interests all throughout the federal government.
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Welcome to MBH-blog. Please check back soon for new entries about issues relating to patents, trademarks|service marks, copyrights, website compliance, and other areas generally lumped into and called 'intellectual property'. We will be monitoring MBH-blog to include commentary on-point and of value. Stay tuned . . .