The Intellectual Property Law Institute is a space for the leading legal minds involved with intellectual property law, as it pertains to the LGBTQ+ community, to share ideas and network. Participants will share their collective wisdom and discuss cutting-edge legal strategies. To create an environment that encourages the free flow of information, registration is limited. The meeting will be closed and the proceedings will not be recorded. The Intellectual Property Law Institute is open to all, including law students.

Please check back next year for more information and application instructions.
The Institute’s 2020 schedule is available below for reference.

2020 Program and Schedule

Friday, August 14, 2020 starting at 11am ET/10am CT/8am PT
Please note that the schedule below is listed in Eastern Time.

Time	Program
11:00am-11:05am	Opening Remarks (Brian Winterfeldt)
11:05am-11:30am	First Keynote Address David Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, will open the 2020 IP Law Institute with a discussion of the USPTO’s key priorities and initiatives for 2020 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the USPTO’s operations.
11:30am-12:20pm	Intellectual Property and the COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected all of us in 2020, impacting all areas of our business and personal lives. This panel will explore the ways in which the pandemic has affected the intellectual property community. We will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted the operation of various intellectual property offices in the United States and globally, as well as how intellectual property owners may be adjusting their IP protection strategies in light of unexpected economic challenges. We will explore the specific challenges that COVID-19 has posed in the online brand enforcement landscape, where there has been a significant uptick in instances of infringement, particularly in connection with personal protective equipment and household items that were suddenly difficult to find. Finally, we will analyze the specific IP issues posed by the sudden shift to primarily remote work for much of the population, such as protection of trade secrets and the need to tighten brand usage guidelines. Download CLE Materials. Moderator: Brian Winterfeldt (Winterfeldt IP Group) Speakers: Sheri Archidiacono (Hasbro), Fred Felman (Appdetex), Christina Mitropoulos (American Apparel & Footwear Association), Kate Spelman (Microsoft)
12:20pm-12:35pm	Break
12:35pm-1:25pm	The Intersection of Health Care and IP Law Intellectual property is a key element of our modern economy, enabling creators of new products and services to ensure that others do not appropriate their unique technologies, designs and other creative works, and brands without proper authorization. Among other benefits, IP laws provide a framework that contributes to these creators operating sustainable businesses. At the same time, a global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic may require various organizations to work together in an accelerated manner to develop vaccines, medications, or other technologies to support the public interest. How can the individuals and organizations involved in these initiatives protect their IP, and why is it important for them to do so even during an emergency? Through this lens, this panel will explore how intellectual property fits into the 2020 landscape, particularly for those involved in creating and administering critical products and services. Download CLE Materials. Moderators: DJ Healey (Fish & Richardson), David Tsai (Pillsbury) Speakers: Ross Allen (Cepheid), Angela Lim (Viz.ai Inc.), Huong Nguyen (Fosun Pharma USA Inc.), Chris Walsh (Denali Therapeutics)
1:25pm-1:40pm	Break
1:40pm-2:30pm	Protecting Your Brand Online This session will provide an overview of the basics of trademark protection and enforcement, particularly for those who may be starting or building online businesses, or shifting more business to an online format in light of ongoing limitations on brick and mortar activities. We will offer a brief review of the trademark lifecycle, including a discussion of why trademark protection is important for businesses of all sizes and the pitfalls not not prioritizing attention to one’s trademark portfolio. We will then discuss the different areas in which one’s brand may be featured in the digital space, including domain names, website content, social media platforms, and marketplaces, and review strategies for both proactive protection and enforcement in each area, with an eye to developing best practices that can be sustained as an organization grows locally, nationally, and/or globally. Download CLE Materials. Moderator: Brian Winterfeldt (Winterfeldt IP Group) Speakers: Sharon Armstrong (Align Technology), Cam Gatta (Microsoft), Ben Mok (Corsearch), Rebecca Mond (Toy Association), Zach Toczynski (Levi Strauss)
2:30pm-2:55pm	Concluding Keynote Address Leigh Checchio, General Counsel for The Trevor Project, will conclude the 2020 IP Law Institute with a discussion of her role as General Counsel for a national charitable organization, the importance of intellectual property protection for charitable organizations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBTQ+ youth community and The Trevor Project’s services.
2:55pm-3:00pm	Closing Remarks (Brian Winterfeldt)