-------- Original Message -------- Subject: IPO patent trolls conference Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 20:20:49 +0100 From: "André Rebentisch" arebenti@web.de Organization: http://freemail.web.de/ To: Us-parl@ffii.org, wipo-parl@ffii.org

http://www.ipo.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Meetings_and_Events/2005_IPO_Meeti...

Trade Association to Raise Public Awareness of Approaches to Intellectual Property Rights

WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Patent reform is a top public policy issue. One of the more controversial elements in patent reform is the debate over patent "trolls." The term patent "trolls," coined by Intel Corporation, refers to a company that acquires patents, sometimes from bankrupt firms, and seeks to leverage the acquired portfolio by identifying those who allegedly infringe on one or more of the patents. Both sides of this issue will be represented at the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) "Patent 'Trolls' and Patent Property Rights" Conference on March 14, 2005. This unique conference will examine the effects of patent "trolls," patent assertion companies, and patent licensing companies. Executives from industry, legal scholars, and other experts will discuss strategies and tactics for coping with patent infringement and possible legislative reforms. One major concern is the rising cost of patent litigation. In 2004, according to Hildebrandt International's Law Department Survey, companies reported that spending on IP litigation rose 32 percent over the previous year. According to Herbert Wamsley, executive director of IPO, "There are IPO members who believe this sharp rise in patent litigation costs can be attributed to organizations known as trolls." However, Wamsley adds, "There are other members who disagree. Either way, it is important to broaden the public's understanding of the systems for developing, protecting, and enforcing intellectual property rights." The luncheon address will be given by Adam H. Jaffe, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Economics at Brandeis University. Professor Jaffe is co-author of Innovation and Its Discontents: How Our Broken Patent System is Endangering Innovation and Progress and What to Do About It. Other sessions will include:

* Patent "Trolls": What they are? How do they affect the industry? Affect the patent system?

* Independent Patent Asserters and Licensing Organizations: What are they? Who buys and why? How are patents sold? How do independent patent asserters and licensing companies affect innovation?

* Reform Proposals Directed at "Trolls"

* Operating in Today's Patent Assertion Environment

For more information on the IPO "Patent 'Trolls' and Patent Property Rights" Conference please visit http://www.ipo.org.

About Intellectual Property Owners Association Founded in 1972, IPO is a national trade association for owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets in all industries and fields of technology. IPO was established to broaden public understanding of intellectual property rights. Members include large and small businesses, intellectual property attorneys, and independent inventors and authors.

SOURCE Intellectual Property Owners Association Web Site: http://www.ipo.org ______________________________________________________________ Verschicken Sie romantische, coole und witzige Bilder per SMS! Jetzt bei WEB.DE FreeMail: http://f.web.de/?mc=021193

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