Credit: 6.0 Credit Hours for the Entire Day; 2.0 Credit Hours Per Session

Description: This three-part class will explain the basics of patents, trademark, and copyright law and help you spot potential problems and opportunities for your clients.  You will learn the importance of  intellectual property as a corporate asset and how it can be used both offensively and defensively for strategic advantage in the marketplace. The program is designed for non-IP attorneys interested in knowing the basics of IP law and for attorneys interested in beginning work in an IP practice.   

Part 1:  Patent Basics (9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.) Find out what is protected by a patent, why to file, and the costs associated with a patent application.  You will also learn about these issues and more:

Bars to patentability

Ownership of patents

Duty of disclosure

Patent infringement and remedies

Part 2:  Trademark Basics (12:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.) Find out what items qualify as a trademark, why to file a trademark application, and the difference in copyright and trademark protection.  You will also learn about these issues and more:

What diligence is necessary before using a potential mark

What constitutes infringement

USPTO registration filing strategies

Interplay of trademarks and domain names

Avoiding pitfalls that could destroy  your rights

Part 3:   Copyright Basics (3:00 p.m. -5:15 p.m.) Find out the nature, scope, and duration of copyright protection and the impact of new technologies on that protection.  You will also learn about these issues and more:

Different kinds of copyrighted works

Ownership and transfer

Impact of the Internet

Availability of injunctive and monetary recovery

Special issues caused by user- generated content and other new forms of publishing