Washington institutions influence intellectual property law profoundly: IP-specific agencies like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or U.S. Copyright Office, other executive agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, and of course Congress. What obstacles arise in guiding reform of IP law though the complex policy process in Washington? What biases? What can we learn from recent episodes in Washington such as passage of the America Invents Act, the ongoing examination of orphan works at the Copyright Office, or the PTO’s report on trademark over-enforcement? In this session, panelists with significant firsthand experience will discuss the nitty-gritty of IP policymaking in Washington, D.C., and ways that scholars can play a positive role in reform efforts.
Business meeting at program conclusion.