SAN DIEGO–LAWFUEL – The Law Firm Newswire – Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch (BSKB), a leading international intellectual property law firm, will be hosting an interactive seminar on September 6 for in-house patent practitioners involved with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and chemical patent applications.
This exclusive two-hour seminar, one morning and one evening session, will be held in the firm’s West Coast Office located in San Diego (CA). There is no charge to attend either session.
Prominent featured speaker will be Nicholas Godici, the former Commissioner of Patents at The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and executive advisor to BSKB. Godici will present an insider’s look into how these new rules will impact patent applications and the effect on the scope of claim protection with new and existing patent applications.
The seminar will focus on the USPTO final rules on continuation applications and claim examination, and the proposed new rules on Markush claims traditionally utilized in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to obtain broad, generic coverage.
In addition to explaining the new rules, Godici will provide strategic advice for applicants to consider for possible actions prior to the November 1 implementation date, as well as counsel on strategies for filing and prosecuting patent applications following the implementation of the new rules.
To register for the 7:30 a.m. or the 5:30 p.m. seminar session, contact Will Gorman at (858) 792-8855 or e-mail gormanw@bskb.com Space is limited. Registration deadline is August 31.
About the Rules on Continuations and Examination of the Claims
After months of review and some revisions, the USPTO published its final rules on August 21st, with an implementation date of November 1, 2007. These rules place limits on the number of continuation applications that applicants can file, and place limits on the number of claims which applicants can have substantively examined by the USPTO as a matter of right.
About the Proposed Rules on Markush Claims
Patent applicants in the chemical/pharmaceutical/biotechnology fields have traditionally utilized patent claims in the so-called “Markush claim” format as a means to obtain broad, generic coverage for their inventions. The USPTO has proposed new rules which could drastically alter this practice, and could significantly restrict the scope of claims which applicants could obtain in a single patent. At this stage the rules have only been published for comment, but the expectation is that some similar form of the rules will publish for implementation, so applicants should begin to consider possible new strategies for existing and new patent applications.
About BSKB
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB) is a highly respected international intellectual property law firm committed to obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights for its clients. The firm has been providing a full range of intellectual property services for over 30 years.
BSKB specializes in chemistry, medical devices, biotechnology, healthcare, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, computer science and mechanical and electrical technologies, as well as in obtaining and enforcing domestic and international trademark and copyright protection for its clients.
The firm’s attorneys and technical specialists are highly skilled and experienced in identifying, analyzing and solving legal and regulatory issues. They recognize the value of intellectual property in the international marketplace and the impact of intellectual property on a client’s business.
BSKB regularly conducts seminars for various groups, intellectual property associations and corporations, and their attorneys are often invited to speak on current intellectual property topics.
Founded in 1976, the firm’s practice is focused on intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, trade secrets, computer law and other matters involving science and technology. www.bskb.com
