ABAHow are new technologies affecting patent and copyright law? What impact does the Google books settlement have on authors, publishers and online competitors? What are the issues and solutions to problems arising from biosimilar regulation in the United States and abroad?

Top practitioners in intellectual property law will focus on these questions and more when they meet for the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law’s 25th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, April 7 – 10 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Recognized for its international scope, the conference presents 25 expert-led programs over two-and-a-half days. Panels bring together judges, government officials, in-house counsel, academics and private practitioners, to discuss topics ranging from patent protected biotechnology-based therapies to corporate counsel issues.

The conference features an April 8 luncheon address by David Kappos, undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  Kappos will share his perspective on USPTO challenges and strategies for the future. The April 9 luncheon features Sarah T. Harris, vice president and chief intellectual property counsel for AOL, who will address the convergence of competing interests. The luncheons begin at noon.

Other conference highlights include:

Thursday, April 8

  • Patent Reform Legislation – Where We Are, How Did We Get Here, and What Does the Future Hold In Store? – 8:30 – 10 a.m.
  • The Year in Patent Law – 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
  • The Google Books Settlement: How Will It Change the Landscape? – 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
  • Biosimilars 2010 – 1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
  • The DMCA Revisited: Analyzing the First 12 Years of Case Law Under the Statute and Its Application to UGC Site – 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Friday, April 9

  • Litigating Validity: Obviousness and Collateral Challenges – 8:30 – 10 a.m.
  • The Use of Opinion of Counsel as Evidence in Patent Litigation – 8:30 – 10 a.m
  • The Net Neutrality Debate: An IP Perspective – 1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
  • Patent and Trademark Prosecution Ethics – Shifting Sands or New Directions? – 1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
  • IP Issues in Entertainment Industry Transactions – 3:30 – 5 p.m.
  • Anatomy of an Infringement Claim: Analyzing and Responding to a Letter Asserting Trademark or Patent Infringement – 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 10

  • Hot Topics in Trademark Law: Mock Preliminary Injunction Hearing – 8:30 – 10 a.m.

For more information on the conference, visit http://www.abanet.org/intelprop/spring2010/home.shtml.