Intellectual Property and Technology past events
Return to Intellectual Property Law
Location | Room 281 and Teams
IPTLA hosted an information session on the USPTO Patent Bar. The session was led by Judge Holte, and he was joined by two of his Akron Alumni law clerks and PLI representative, Richard Bitzel. The session was for anyone with a STEM background or others who qualify for the Patent Bar. The session covered the PLI study program and the advantages of taking the Patent Bar. Students were urged to take the Patent Bar as soon as possible to help them stand out against competition in the job search process. There were 12 people in attendance.
Location | Room 180 and Teams
IPTLA co-hosted an event with the Federalist Society on the Intersectionality of IP and Antitrust. The organizations hosted Professor Kristen Osenga of the University of Richmond School of Law. Professor Osenga teaches and writes in the areas of intellectual property, patent law, law and language, and legislation and regulation. Professor Osenga discussed the ongoing argument between the different views of IP and antitrust. She explained how some see IP and antitrust as conflicting because of the exclusive rights created through IP and how others contend IP rights increase competition by helping create new businesses and markets to replace the old. She discussed how policy shifts in both areas of the law have big consequences for innovators, creators, and the US economy. There were 40 People in attendance.
Location | Room 281 and Teams
IPTLA hosted an information session on the Washington, D.C., Externship Program. The session was led by Judge Holte, and he was joined by former Washington, D.C. extern, Austin Keith. They were joined by Dean O’Brien of Career Services and IP Center Director Professor Schultz. The session included an overview of the program, insights from Austin on his experience, and the type of experience students could expect to gain from the program. The session also included an overview of potential placements, and the advantages externships can provide a student. There were 15 people in attendance.
Location | Room 180 and Teams
IPTLA hosted Daniel Thomson, partner at Emerson Thomson Bennet, at its Lunch & Learn series. Mr. Thomson discussed trademarks, the Trademark Clinic, and the ongoing intellectual property issues regarding the name change of the Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians. The discussion included the ongoing battle between the Cleveland Indians and a local roller ball team with the Cleveland Guardians name. The discussion was extraordinarily interesting and timely, given the recent name change. There were 35 students in attendance, and they were able to ask questions to Mr. Thomson about practicing trademark law after the discussion.
Location | Webex
This panel was the final panel at the IP Symposium and focused on the tools available for copyright enforcement and the many challenges that arise during copyright enforcement. The panel was moderated by Devlin Hartline, Director and Professor of Communication, Center for Protection of IP (CPIP), Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University. The panel was comprised of Terrica Carrington, Vice President of Legal Policy and Copyright Counsel at the Copyright Alliance; Victoria Sheckler, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at the Recording Industry Association of America; and Ben Sheffner, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Copyright and Legal Affairs at the Motion Picture Association. Items discussed included closing the streaming piracy, the DMCA and copyright enforcement, and congressional action on copyright enforcement.
Location | Webex
This panel was the sixth panel at the IP Symposium and focused on the latest developments in patent marking. The panel consisted of Daniel A. Thomson, Partner at Emerson Thomson Bennett; John Skeriotis, Partner at Emerson Thomson Bennett, and Sergey Vernyuk, Partner at Emerson Thomson Bennett. Items discussed ranged from the purpose of marking, statutory compliance, the duty to mark, who must mark, and different marking and patent types. The panel provided insight into the practice of patent marking and how it is properly executed.
Location | Webex
This panel was the fifth Panel of the IP Symposium and focused on effective advocacy before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The panel was moderated by the Hon. Beverly Bunting, a retired Judge for the PTAB and USPTO. The panel consisted of Matthew J. Cavanagh, Partner at McDonald Hopkins; David B. Cupar, Partner at McDonald Hopkins; Hon. Alyssa Finamore, Judge for the PTAB and USPTO; and Hon. Robert L. Kinder, Judge for the PTAB and USPTO. Items discussed included the use of expert witness, effective oral and written advocacy, and the importance of understanding trial rules and precedent.
Location | Webex
This panel was the fourth panel of the IP Symposium and focused on Trademark Legislative Updates in the United States and around the world. The panel consisted of both domestic and international IP attorneys. The U.S. attorneys were Michael G. Craig, counsel at Tucker Ellis, and Heather Barnes, partner at Tucker Ellis. The three international attorneys were: Mango Shufang Pend, Manager at the International Department and Trademark Attorney at Jiaquan IP & Law; Ilya Kazi, founder of IK-IP Limited; and Darrin Shaya, European Director of IP at Stanley Black & Decker. Items discussed ranged from current trademark law in the U.S. compared to laws around the world, updates in legislation regarding trademark law, comparison between Chinese and U.S. trademark laws, and the UK and Europe’s perspective on trademark law post Brexit.
Location | Webex
This panel was the last panel for Day 1 of the IP Symposium. The panel consisted of three current IP attorneys: Trevor Copeland, Partner at Brinks Gilson & Lione; Kevin Leffel, Corporate Patent Counsel at Cook Medical Technologies, LLC; and Elizabeth (Liz) Peters, Senior Legal Counsel for IP at Steelcase. The panel focused on ethical blindness, intentionality, and decision making in IP practice. They went into detail about the Duty of Candor and the ethics when practicing IP law.
Location | Webex
This panel was an effort to discuss the best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Intellectual Property Law. The panel was moderated by Tammy Bennet, current Labor and Employment Partner and Chief Equty and Inclusion Officer at Dismore and Shohl. The panel consisted of four minority attorneys currently practicing in the IP field: Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, Marketing and IP counsel at Nationwide; Wednesday Shipp, Director and Assistant General Counsel at Procter & Gamble; Malisheia Douglas, IP and Cybersecurity Counsel at Eaton Corporation, and current President of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Association; and Mark Guinto, Counsel at Dinsmore and Shohl. The Panel discussed ways to make the legal profession more diverse and inclusive since it remains one of the least diverse professions among peer career classifications.
Location | Webex
This panel discussed IP Law and Policy that was expected over the next four years. The panel consisted of four individuals currently involved in law making and policy decisions surrounding Intellectual Property: Kira Alvarez, VP at ViacomCBS; June Beses, Chair for the IP Section at the American Bar Association and Director and Lecturer in law at Columbia Law School; Patrick Killbride, Sr. VP at the Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and David Lachmann, Senior Director for Federal Government Relations at BIO. The panel looked at the impact of the new dynamics in Congress and the impact of new IP legislation that has been passed or is in the process of being written. The panel specifically discussed the impact of the CASE Act and possible SHOP SAFE Legislation.
Location | Webex
The 23rd Annual Symposium on Intellectual Property Law and Policy was hosted by the Universty of Akron’s Intellectual Property and Technology Law Center on March 25 and 26, 2021. The symposium consisted of seven panels over the two days discussing the latest in Intellectual Property Law. The symposium was made possible by the many sponsors and guests who made the symposium possible. The sponsors included Emerson Thomson Bennett LLC, The J.M. Smucker Co., Brinks Gilson & Lione, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, McDonald Hopkins LLC, Tarolli Sundheim Covell & Tmmunio LLP, and Tucker Ellis LLP.
Location | Webex
This alumni panel was presented by IPTLA to discuss ways to succeed as a new IP attorney. Joining IPTLA on the panel was: Nick Bagnolo (’18), Jones Day IP litigation associate & former Judge Holte clerk; Sarah Boone (’19), Renner Otto patent prosecution associate; Ivan Gracic (Winter ’19), Pearne & Gordon patent prosecution associate; & Jess Goedel (’20), Dinsmore trademark associate. The panel hosted a Q&A discussion with students and provided insight into ways to excel as a new attorney, provided tips and tricks on how to prepare for the field while in school, and answered student’s questions regarding practicing in the IP field.
Location | Webex
The Akron IP Center has partnered with the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law association to provide a Fireside Chat with Ms. Temple. Ms. Temple is Senior EVP at the Motion Picture Association and Former US Register of Copyrights.
Ms. Temple discussed her career in a conversation oriented toward students and young lawyers considering a career in IP law. She has worked in private practice, public service, and as a leader in both the government and at a global law firm. She provided a unique perspective and is a role model for all students looking at a career in IP Law. This was a less formal event allowing for students to ask their questions and get a unique insight into IP law.
Location | Webex
The Akron IP Center partnered with the Cleveland Intellectual Property Association to provide a Keynote Address on the copyright system and its impact on the film industry. The Keynote Speaker was Karyn A. Temple. She is the Senior Executive Vice President and the Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association. She oversees the Associations legal affairs and content protection efforts. She was formerly the Register of Copyrights with the US Copyright Office. She led the 400-person agency and its eight divisions representing law, policy, international affairs, financial operation, registration practice, public records, and outreach and education.
Ms. Temple’s Keynote Address focused on the copyright system and its impact on the film industry. She discussed that it has been a time of change for the system that has affected the film industry. Ms. Temple discussed the changes she championed as Register that suddenly became law at the end of 202 when they were included in the year-end omnibus spending and stimulus bill. She discussed how the film industry had never before had their business model challenged before the introduction of these laws. She discussed the major reforms that were passed as they related to US copyright law and how this changed the film industry as a whole.
Location | Webex
This panel is a joint effort by IPTLA the Federalist Society to host an event on data privacy. The groups hosted Professor Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School, and Attorney Bruce Martino, Gojo Industries, for a debate on internet privacy. The speakers debated data collection over the internet by technology companies such as Facebook and Google. They put the internet privacy debate into perspective based on recent Congressional hearings surrounding this topic.
Location | Webex
This panel was put on by IPTLA as a welcome back panel for the Spring Semester. The meeting was an open house to all students that were interested in learning about the Intellectual Property & Technology Law Association and the events that they host. The IPTLA board was joined by Career Services faculty, Dean Benedict O’Brien & Assistant Director Alecia Benz, and IP Faculty, Professor Mark Schultz, Judge Ryan Holte, and Professor Camilla Hrdy. Topics discussed included planned events for the semester, a discussion of the Loyola-Chicago Patent Law Interview Program, and the PLI Patent Bar Study Program.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA hosted a WebEx presentation from founder of Kern Kendrick, LLC, and Akron Law alumnus, Ty Kendrick. Ty was a former partner in the patent prosecution group of Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff prior to founding his own firm. He discussed the practicalities surrounding practicing patent prosecution and IP law generally. He engaged with the attendees and answered their questions, rather than merely lecturing on IP law.
Location | Webex 
The IPTLA, the Health Law Society, and the Federalist Society co-hosted Professor Adam Mossoff, of George Mason University, and Dr. George Horvath, of Akron Law, on Pandemics and Patents: Do Patents Help or Hinder Medical Innovation? Professor Mossoff and Dr. Horvath discussed the topic in detail and Professor Camilla Hrdy, of Akron Law, moderated with commentary. The discussion was interesting and timely, given the disputes over patents on COVID vaccines. Dr. Horvath, who was a practicing cardiologist and academic physician prior to his legal career, witnessed firsthand the ways in which the approval of medications and devices impact patients and providers.
Location | Webex
This panel is a joint effort by IPTLA and IEAT which focused on diverse intellectual property law practitioners. The panel consisted of three women: Maleishia Douglas, the current president of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association and an Akron alum, Holly Fechner of Covington & Burling, known for her research on and advocacy for diversity in the IP law field, and Kristine Schlegelmilch, an IP attaché who is currently in Geneva with the US Mission finishing up the WIPO General Assemblies. Items discussed ranged from the importance of finding the right career mentorship, to the willingness to put oneself outside of his or her comfort zone, to the advantage of keeping an open mind in your early career. This event has helped to bring diverse representation in this field to students at Akron Law, and provided a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for those in attendance.
Location | Zoom
Akron Law's Center for Intellectual Property and Technology Law has partnered with NEOMED and several Northeast Ohio universities to present a brand new entrepreneurship and innovation competition that will bring together interdisciplinary teams of students in the fields of law, medicine, business, and engineering to solve real medical problems encountered by local physicians from surrounding Northeast Ohio hospitals. The seven-month program will provide teams of students with the education and mentorship to bring innovative medical solutions from conception to commercialization. Teams of students at Akron Law, CSU, Kent, and more will compete to win grant money and potential venture capital investment to put towards the development of their products and businesses.
Location | Zoom
The Akron IP Center has partnered with the Center for Protection of Intellectual Property at George Mason University to promote one another's events and provide free access to students. Prof. Schultz moderated a panel at this conference, which features a keynote speech by Rosanne Cash and many other music business leaders.
The past year has seen major changes to the music ecosystem and the laws and policies integral to its viability. For example, while the Music Modernization Act (MMA) provided a much-needed update to the way artists’ creative contributions are recognized and supported in the digital age, debates over royalties, infringement, piracy, and new distribution models remain. Diverse issues surrounding ownership and control of data, music festival arrangements, and the nature of artists’ roles in the gig economy also made headlines. Despite encouraging steps forward and seemingly unlikely partnerships, arriving at a place of balance in music—where respect for artists and others on the music production side is just as important as facilitating innovative models for listener access—requires more work and cooperation.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA hosted a WebEx presentation from Jones Day partner and Akron Law alumna, Angela Gott, and Jones Day associate and Cleveland State alumna, Kerry Barrett, on global brand management. Angela and Kerry discussed the life of a trademark and the process of helping a client select a protectable mark, acquire trademark registration globally, and actively manage that mark and its protection around the world. The event provided substantial practical guidance to the aspiring IP law students at Akron who are interested in trademark practice. Angela and Kerry also answered several questions on their law practices, brand management, and working in a big law firm. The event’s total attendance exceeded 35 people.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA hosted a General Body Meeting & 1L Welcome session gathering a crowd of nearly 50 attendees. President, Matt Modderman, welcomed the new members, providing insight into what the IPTLA is and what it has planned for the coming remote school year. Judge Ryan Holte followed with a warm welcome and information on a new Washington D.C. externship program. Professor Camilla Hrdy shared her advice for 1L year and encouraged students to get involved in a variety of IP coursework. Career services faculty, Dean Alisa Benedict O’Brien and Alecia Bencze, encouraged students to reach out to them for guidance on IP employment, and also provided information on upcoming on-campus interviews and the Loyola Patent Law Interview Program. Professor Mark Schultz, director of the IP Center, announced a variety of developments coming to Akron Law’s IP Program, and promoted both the IP Certificate and IP LLM. IP Fellow, Emily Rich, discussed patent bar preparation and the relationship Akron Law has with the PLI patent bar exam course. And finally, the meeting closed with an introduction to the IPTLA’s board members and words of encouragement for Akron’s new IP students.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA hosted a decorated panel of IP career advisors for directing IP students on how to best handle the challenges presented by COVID-19. The panel comprised of: Judge Ryan Holte of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims; Nick Bagnolo, Akron Law Grad, current Judge Holte clerk, going to the Jones Day IP group; Dean Alisa O’Brien, Akron Law Career Services; Professor Camilla Hrdy, IP Law Professor; and Professor Schultz, IP Center Director.
The panel discussed law school success and tips for performing well on exams. It went over changes to 1L job applications and the delay in the Patent Law Interview Program. Lastly, the panel unveiled a new Akron Law IP, Washington D.C. Externship program. The event made for an excellent way to connect with the IP student body after going fully remote in March.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA hosted Jon Santamauro, a Senior Director for International Government Affairs at AbbVie, a leading innovative pharmaceutical company, who discussed the role of IP in pharmaceutical innovation to develop treatments that give us a fighting chance to beat this pandemic and the next. He also talked about efforts to make treatments widely available during the current crisis.
Prior to joining AbbVie, Mr. Santamauro had a long career at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including service as the Intellectual Property Attaché in the U.S. Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. During this time, he represented the United States at the WTO, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN organizations in matters relating to intellectual property. Further information is available here.
The Akron IP Center thanks Mr. Santamauro for delivering a thought-provoking and topical presentation to the students. Over a dozen students logged in and learned from the discussion.
Location | Webex
The IPTLA and the Black Law Students Association co-hosted Prof. Sean O'Connor as a virtual guest speaker. Prof. O'Connor discussed how the ruling in the "Blurred Lines" copyright lawsuit against Robin Thicke and Pharell Williams advanced social justice for songwriters from disadvantaged backgrounds. For most of the history of modern popular music, the work of “aural” composers who do not use European-based sheet music was treated unfavorably by the US Copyright Office and the courts. This disparity often allowed artists working in genres such as the blues, jazz, R&B, rap, and rock 'n' roll to be exploited and their rights to be disregarded. Prof. O'Connor, who co-authored amicus briefs in this case, discussed this and other cases and explained the social justice dimension of copyright.
Prof. O'Connor is Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP) at George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School. For many years before law school, Prof. O'Connor was a working musician and songwriter. For a sample of another interesting talk he gave, check out Prof. O'Connor's talk and performance explaining how patented technology -- the guitar pickup -- shaped the history of popular music.
The Akron IP Center thanks Prof. O’Connor for delivering an interesting and informative presentation. Over two dozen students attended and enjoyed the discussion.
Location | The University of Akron Student Union
Keynote speaker | The Honorable Alice Batchelder, former Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Rm 281
The IPTLA and the Corporate & Business Law Society co-hosted a lunch & learn on technology transactions. The panel of speakers discussed IP and technology transactions in both the business and law firm environment. The speakers explained the role of outside and in-house counsel in these transactions, valuing intellectual property and technology assets, negotiating the sale and licensing of these assets, and steps required to develop a practice in the area. Craig Horbus, partner of Brouse McDowell, John Hornickel, former Assistant GC of IP for Polyone and founder of The Hornickel Law Firm, and Professor Mark Schultz, former tech. transactions attorney at Baker McKenzie, made up the panel sharing their perspectives on these subjects.
Location | EJ Thomas Hall
Akron Law had the pleasure of hosting the January 2020 meeting of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA). Over 100 practitioners joined us from across greater Cleveland for continued education sessions on patent law and trade secrets, with presentations made by our own Professor Schultz (“Extraterritorial Enforcement of Trade Secrets”) and John Hornickel of the Hornickel Law Firm and Akron Law’s Intellectual Property Advisory Council (“After AIA and Alice, What Have We Learned?”). Attorneys and students alike capped off the evening with a reception and dinner at Akron’s EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall, culminating in a keynote presentation by Victoria Cundiff of Paul Hastings in New York. Ms. Cundiff’s talk was titled “Solving the Latest and Next Crisis in IP Law,” and discussed the role of IP lawyers in helping clients build new business models. The IP Center would like to thank the many students who joined us for an enlightening and engaging day of events.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Professor Schultz “orchestrated” the annual IP Scholars Forum at Akron Law on Friday December 6th. The Forum featured papers and presentations by several esteemed scholars (shown above from left): Professor Joshua D. Sarnoff, DePaul College of Law; Professor Clark D. Asay, BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School; Professor Zahr K. Said, UW School of Law - University of Washington; Professor Glynn S. Lunney, Jr., Texas A&M University School of Law; and Professor Ericka Lietzan, University of Missouri School of Law. The Forum ended with a visit to Severance Hall for Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, performed by the Cleveland Orchestra with Jean-Yves Thibaudet on piano. The day-long event was also attended by Judge Ryan Holte, Camilla Hrdy, Michael Madison (Pitt), and Liam O'Melinn (Ohio Northern) with special appearances by Akron Law’s own Dean CJ Peters, Professor Jack Sahl, and Professor Mike Gentithes.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law, Rm 280
Keynote speaker | Dinsmore attorneys discussed outside counsel's role in managing an international trademark portfolio. Dinsmore handles all of Walmart's international trademarks and most of its US trademarks. Dinsmore is an Ohio based law firm with offices all around the country with one of the fastest growing IP practices and represents a large base of clients in both prosecution and litigation.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
The student IPTLA welcomed Sue Gerber, Jones Day patent litigator and Akron alumna for lunch and discussion with current IP students. Gerber is experienced in many facets of patent infringement litigation, including appeals before the Federal Circuit, other Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Her talk centered on Section 101 issues as well as an overview of her path through and following Akron Law.
Location | The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Several of our IP students joined the rest of the Law School in giving back to their community this weekend. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Akron Law Cares allowed students to give their time, work, and service in support of over a dozen community partners sites in the Akron area. The photo below shows a group of students – including several pursuing an LL.M. in IP Law or a Certificate in Intellectual Property – after spending the morning volunteering at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
The Intellectual Property and Technology Association (IPTLA) held its opening meeting of the academic year to a packed room. With about 40% of our student body in IPTLA and 20% of this year’s incoming class patent bar qualified, this was a perfect opportunity to introduce 1Ls to the general requirements of pursuing an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law or a Certificate in Intellectual Property through Akron Law. Students heard from the Honorable Ryan T. Holte, former David L. Brennan Endowed Chair in Law and newly confirmed judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims. Judge Holte continues his involvement with Akron as jurist-in-residence and part-time faculty this year. The students also met Professor Mark Schultz, Akron’s newly hired Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Chair in Intellectual Property. An expert known for his work on the law and economics of the global intellectual property system, Professor Schultz will serve as Director of the Center for Intellectual Property Law & Technology and will start at Akron Law full time in January of 2020. With an outstanding new crop of 1Ls and a 100% placement rate for patent bar track students in recent years, there’s plenty to look forward to in the world of IP here at Akron.
Location | The Cleveland Zoo Rainforest
Akron Law IP students and IP Center Director Prof. Holte attended the annual Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA) end-of-year gala dinner (known as the “patent prom”). Almost 200 local IP attorneys enjoyed the Zoo exhibits, an excellent meal, and standup comedy amongst snakes and porcupines with comedian Andy Woodhull. IP students enjoyed the career networking and some great laughs were shared by all.
Location | Mustard Seed Café, Akron
The Akron Law IPTLA group and IP Center hosted a dinner gathering for all IP law students at the end of final exams. Invitation also went out to incoming fall 2019 IP students. A great meal and Friday night dinner was had by all and over 10 incoming IP students received tips from current students on IP resume drafting, patent prosecution work with local firms while in school, and organizing summer study groups for the Patent Bar.
Location | National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.
IP Center Director Prof. Holte was invited to attend the National Inventors Hall of Fame 2019 Induction Ceremony and dinner. As part of the greatest annual celebration of American innovation, Prof. Holte met a variety of current and former Inductees. Pictured below is Frank J. Cepollina, inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2003 for his pioneering concept of in-orbit satellite servicing. As the NASA Satellite Servicing Project Manager, Cepollina was tasked with repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. Having worked on the development of its modular design, as well as its command and control subsystem, Cepollina knew the Hubble's systems well, and led the 1990’s Hubble repair projects. After initial Hubble repair, Cepollina led improvement missions for Hubble in 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2009 adding newer technologies such as improved cameras, solar arrays, and improved processors.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
IPTLA hosted NIHOF CEO Mike Oister and GC Maggie Petrush, an Akron Law IP graduate, to discuss their experience working with the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Mr. Oister works to expand the organization’s mission of recognizing and inspiring innovation in America. He first joined the National Inventors Hall of Fame as President of the Invent Now Kids subsidiary and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2009. In 2013, he accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer. During the lunch, Mr. Oister discussed the history of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (founded in Akron, OH) and the importance of incentivizing young people to be innovative and creative in order to keep the importance of intellectual property alive. He also discussed the progression of the useful arts--how enforcing intellectual property aids in fostering creativity. They discussed many “game changer” people who changed the mold of intellectual property and showed how invention changes society. Lastly, they closed on the note that many Akron Law students have worked as patent-review interns, providing paid research help at their NE Ohio headquarters for annual inventor ceremony inductees.
Location | The Ohio State University College of Engineering
IP Center Director Prof. Holte traveled to Columbus for the day and presented to a group of OSU undergraduate engineering majors and the OSU STEM pre-Law Society. With Prof. Holte were U Akron Law IP alumni Ty Kendrick (a patent attorney with Benesch Friedlander law firm in Columbus) and Dann Bruno (IP and corporate transaction attorney with Thompson Hine law firm in Columbus) who discussed their career paths through science undergraduate majors, to Akron Law, and on to IP and patent law work experience throughout Ohio.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Akron Law hosted the Intellectual Property Advisory Council (IPAC) Spring Meeting on March 5, 2019. The University of Akron’s Interim President, John Green and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Joseph Gingo spoke at the start of the event. IPAC enjoyed a reception with the Hon. Jeffrey Sutton of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit after a book discussion event Judge Sutton spoke at on campus. As part of the IPAC meeting, students were able to ask career questions to the IPAC group then network and chat with IPAC members after.
Location | The University of Akron Student Union
Keynote speaker | The Honorable Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Location | Marriott Downtown Akron
The Akron Law IP Center hosted a welcome dinner at the Marriott Downtown Akron. The casual dinner was catered by Luigi’s and included Symposium speakers, IPAC members, many law students, and keynote speaker Hon. Andrei Iancu. A great time—and lots of Akron Italian food—was had by all!
Location | The University of Akron School of Law, room 280
Topic | "Tinder Lies"
IPTLA and the Federalist Society joined to host Professor Manta, the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development as well as the Founding Director of the Center for Intellectual Property Law at Hofstra University School of Law for a Lunch & Learn at the University of Akron School of Law. Professor Manta discussed how to handle sexual fraud and the use of deceit brought through online dating apps. She detailed why and how lies established through online dating apps should render legal recovery to victims and reviewed the few current laws governing sexual fraud and arguments for the Status Quo. Related to IP law, Prof. Manta explained the potential relevance of Lanham Act trademark law in the world of online dating and how it prevents deception often resulting from online dating. Akron Law IP professor Camilla Hrdy provided comments regarding similarities between personal profile branding on online dating apps and the branding which companies create for their consumers.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law - E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall
Topic | Innovation Trends for the 21st Century
The University of Akron School of Law once again hosted The Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association’s (CIPLA) January Meeting. More than 100 local IP attorneys gathered at Akron Law to obtain CLE credit and attended a reception and dinner at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
The CLE Speaker Events were followed by a cocktail hour, reception, and presentation by The Honorable Dave Kappos, former Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Akron Law IP students in attendance took advantage of this opportunity to mingle and network with local attorneys in the Akron/Cleveland area. We thank CIPLA very much for coming to visit Akron Law!
The Honorable Dave Kappos served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office from August 2009 to January 2013. Prior to leading the USPTO, he held several executive posts in the legal department of IBM over a 25-year career there, including serving as the company’s Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Intellectual Property from 2003 to 2009.
Kappos, now a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, told the audience of more than 125 IP practitioners, faculty, and students that the higher prices and wealth creation that are the most visible result of patent protection garner a negative public reaction and generate populist calls to weaken the IP system. “But the one thing we can say is that there is no sustainable source of competitive advantage other than IP. The extent to which IP protections are maintained and enforced will be crucial in determining whether the investment in innovation necessary to propel breakthrough innovation will remain viable.”
Photos by Michael Yakim
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Professor Daniel Brean spoke on the topic of Grading Patent Remedies: Dependent Claims and Relative Infringement. Professor Camilla Hrdy spoke on the topic of The Reemergence of State Anti-Patent Law. More than 100 local IP attorney members of the CIPLA group gathered at Akron Law for the afternoon CLE presentations.
Photo by Michael Yakim
Location | Washington D.C.
Professor Holte and IPAC member Jon Wood (Bridgestone) attended the 11th Annual IPO Awards dinner. It was an excellent celebration of IP law recognizing outstanding achievement in innovation, creativity, and IP rights.
Pictured below: in first photo Prof. Holte with Jon Wood, and Hon. Andrei Iancu (current director of the USPTO) and in second photo Prof. Holte, Jon Wood and celebrity emcee John O'Hurley (from the Seinfeld TV show amongst various other career hits).
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
R. Polk Wagner, Professor at University of Pennsylvania Law School, visited the University of Akron School of Law to speak at the Fall 2018 Albert and Vern Oldham Intellectual Property Law Lecture. He discussed the history of the patent office and the evolution of its emerging role as the creator of case law, developer of policy, and decision-maker with a vast scale of daily operations. He also described how the Patent Office’s emerging role has changed the Federal Circuit's role in the patent system, the politics of patent law, and how regional differences and theories of innovation can impact the patent system. Lastly, Professor Wagner spoke on the recent rule changes regarding claim construction. Local attorneys attended the Oldham Lecture and CLE credits were offered to those in attendance. Catered BBQ lunch was provided to all students and attorneys in attendance.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Jon Wood, the Director of Innovations and Bridgestone Americas, visited the University of Akron School of Law to speak at a Lunch & Learn hosted by the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Association. Mr. Wood discussed the effect of innovation on today’s society and how innovation further affects the business of numerous Fortune 500 companies. He also spoke on the issue of technology and urbanization's impact on business models from micro-mobility disruption of the tire industry to the evolution of the modern vehicle on methods transportation. As part of the talk Mr. Wood provided career advice to IP students and discussed his career path of working in a small firm to moving in-house and working in business law. All IP faculty and students enjoyed lunch during the discussion and after the talk IP faculty and student IPTLA leadership headed to Diamond Deli in downtown Akron.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
The University of Akron School of Law hosted its Annual Fall IPAC Meeting. The Intellectual Property Advisory Council is comprised of over 50 IP professionals seeking to advance Akron Law’s IP Center and programming, foster relationships with businesses, law firms, and governments, and assist students with career planning. Students were invited to join in break out groups in the afternoon to discuss career planning, resumes, and network with members of IPAC.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
The Akron Law IP Center hosted its annual Fall 2018 IP Scholars Conference. This year’s Scholars are Deborah Gerhardt (UNC), Eric Priest (Oregon), Irina Manta (Hofstra), Daryl Lim (John Marshall), Andrew Torrance (Kansas), Christine Farley (American), and Shawn Miller (Stanford). All IP Scholars arrived Thursday, Oct. 4th for a casual dinner catered by Luigi’s in downtown Akron. Friday, all Scholars visited Akron Law for a full day conference to present their various article topics to be published in the upcoming Spring 2019 IP Issue of the Akron Law Review. IP professors and faculty were in attendance and IP students and the Akron Law Review’s Managing Editor of the IP Issue later joined the Scholars for a coffee and dessert break. On Friday evening, all IP Scholars traveled to Severance Hall to attend the Cleveland Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony (“Resurrection”) before traveling home Saturday morning.
Location | The University of Akron, Mary Gladwin Hall
Professor Holte attended the University of Akron undergraduate engineering capstone seminar to speak with senior undergrad students. He discussed legal career options for those earning a science degree and gave details about career options specifically in intellectual property law protecting innovation. Many students were in attendance and interested students stayed after the meeting to chat about details regarding the Akron Law school admissions process, the Patent Bar, student success studying IP at Akron Law, and to learn more about patent law job opportunities in Northeast Ohio.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law, room 280
IPTLA teamed up with the Akron Law Federalist Society for a thought-provoking debate on the issue of patent morality. Prof. David Taylor, from the SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, and Akron Law IP Professor, Daniel Brean participated in this debate. They each discussed their opinions on immoral patents and the moral and ethical limitations on patenting. They also discussed the history of the patent system's concern with immoral patents and the patent statute's ethical limitations on patent rights. Chick-Fil-A lunch was provided to all students in attendance.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Brennan Courtroom 180
Akron Law’s Constitutional Law Center hosted it’s annual conference on Friday September 14th. The topic of the conference was the eightieth anniversary of Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (1938). In this iconic case, the U.S. Supreme Court cast significant doubt on the federal courts’ authority to make law absent express authorization. This conference brought together scholars from a range of legal disciplines regarding implications of Erie on choice of law issues that arise within specific fields including civil procedure, remedies, evidence, and intellectual property. Numerous national IP scholars presented at the conference including: Brian Frye (Kentucky), Megan LaBelle (Catholic), Shubha Ghosh (Syracuse), Joe Miller (Georgia), and Sharon Sandeen (Mitchell-Hamline). The IP Center hosted an IP Coffee Hour for scholars, IP attorneys, and students as the conference wrapped up Friday afternoon.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law room 202
IPTLA held its first general body meeting of the Fall semester to introduce 1L students to the organization’s new board members and the IP Center Faculty. The meeting was geared toward providing 1L students with information about what the Akron Law IP Center has to offer its IP students. Professor Holte discussed the variety of courses available to all IP students, as well as the importance of enrolling in the IP Certificate and/or LLM Program at the end of 1L year. Professor Holte, the IP Center Faculty, and board members articulated the importance of attending IP Center events and utilizing the excellent IP networking opportunities the IP Center provides throughout the year. Professor Holte also discussed the value of becoming involved with the Cleveland Intellectual Property and Technology Law Association (CIPLA) as a law student and future IP attorney. 1L students stayed after the meeting to obtain important information regarding the Patent Law Interview Program (PLIP). Chick-Fil-A was served to all students in attendance.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Larry Huston, Senior Counsel for Proctor & Gamble, joined Akron Law IP Students and faculty for a Skype discussion on various IP topics at the last IPTLA event of the semester. He discussed the value of a scientific background in a patent career and the importance of using such a background for the many daily challenges an IP attorney encounters. Mr. Huston discussed how trademarks, copyrights, and trade dress have been integrated into IP enforcement and the importance of staying current with the law. Mr. Huston closed his discussion by answering questions on the IP job market in Cincinnati and encouraged students to engage in networking opportunities as well as CLEs to learn more about the IP field prior to practice. Students enjoyed Chick-Fil-A and gained valuable information before starting their various summer IP jobs
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
The Honorable Professor F. Scott Kieff visited Akron Law to speak on the topic of “Helping Businesses Obtain More Certainty and Durability in Today’s Windy Times of Intellectual Property, Antitrust, and International Trade” at the Albert and Vern Oldham 2018 Spring Lecture. Prof. Kieff discussed the history of trade and the importance of trade in today’s society. He also discussed the importance of the International Trade Commission (ITC) as well as the advances and disadvantage of ITC litigation. After the talk, Prof. Kieff provided students information regarding how to successfully manage law school and successfully obtain a job upon graduation. The IP Center provided free CLE and catered lunch students, local attorneys, and faculty in attendance—the room was full!
Location | Bricco, Downtown Akron
The Akron Law IP Center hosted a dinner at Bricco, located in downtown Akron, to welcome to the 2018 Spring Oldham Lecture’s keynote speaker, The Honorable Professor F. Scott Kieff to Akron Law. Professors Ryan Holte, Camilla Hrdy, and Daniel Brean also welcomed Scott Oldham (partner and co-chair of Hahn Loeser IP team), Ari Sherwin (chief IP counsel for Sherwin Williams), Mark Inzetta (chief legal office for Sbarro), and all members of the Akron Law IPAC.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
GOJO Legal Counsel & Senior Director, Jason F. Fokens, and Calfee Halter and Griswold LLP partners, Kimberly A. Textoris and Chet J. Bonner, visited Akron Law to speak on a panel led by Professor Brean. They discussed their career paths, responsibilities, and conveyed important aspects of respective daily lives and job responsibilities. They gave valuable insight as to what qualities make a successful IP attorney from in-house and outside-counsel perspective. Each attorney communicated the benefits of networking during law school as well as demonstrating commitment to IP practice to supervising attorneys in summer job positions. Students enjoyed Jimmy John’s and took advantage of great networking opportunities with the local attorneys.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Akron Law hosted the Intellectual Property Advisory Council (IPAC) Spring Meeting on March 20, 2018. The University of Akron’s President, Matthew J. Wilson spoke at the start of the event and hot breakfast was served to all in attendance. Many IP students attended the lunch, taking advantage of job networking opportunities with IPAC members.
Location | The University of Akron Student Union
Keynote speaker | The Honorable Paul R. Michel and Professor Emeritus Jeffery Samuels
Topic | A 20 Year IP Retrospect Through the Lens of Akron Law’s IP Symposium; How the High Court and the PTAB Depressed Patent Values, Volunteer Licensing, Start-Up Formation and R&D Investment and How the Congress Can and Must Reverse These Harmful Trends and Revive America’s Innovation Eco-System.
The University of Akron School of Law Hosted its 20th Anniversary Symposium on Intellectual Property Law and Policy for all IP students, faculty, and hundreds of local IP attorneys. Professor Ryan Holte, President Matthew Wilson, and Dean CJ Peters gave opening remarks and welcomed all in attendance. The IP Symposium commenced and various attorneys, judges, and professors spoke on relevant IP topics. The Symposium included various panel discussions, catered lunch, and a presentation on ethics and professionalism. The Symposium concluded with a catered reception at the University of Akron’s newly renovated C. Blake McDowell Law Center.
See the main event page at uakron.edu/ip.
Location | Marriot, Akron Ohio
The Akron Law IP Center hosted a welcome dinner at the Akron Marriott for the 20th Anniversary IP Symposium Speakers as well as all IPAC Members. The dinner was a casual event catered by Luigi’s in Akron. The dinner was a great opportunity for speakers and IPAC members to socialize prior to the Symposium.
Location | Cleveland Marriott
Professor Holte and Akron Law IP Students attended the March Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA) meeting in Cleveland. IP Students networked with various local IP attorneys from the Northeast Ohio area and heard an excellent talk from veteran Supreme Court practitioner Carter Phillips.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Room - E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall
Topic | In Search of Patent’s Lost Ark; Interpreting Section 101 in Information Age.
The University of Akron School of Law hosted The Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association’s (CIPLA) February Meeting. Over 100 local IP attorneys gathered at Akron Law to obtain CLE credit and attend a wonderful reception at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. Professor Daniel Brean spoke on the topic of IP Licensing in the context of computer software. Professor Camilla Hrdy spoke on the topic of Trade Secrets Post-DTSA. The CLE Speaker Events were followed by a cocktail hour, reception, and presentation by Professor Peter Menell regarding interpretation of section 101 and invention requirements for patent applicants.
Akron Law IP students in attendance took advantage of this great opportunity to mingle and network with local attorneys in the Akron/Cleveland area—we thank CIPLA very much for coming to visit Akron Law!
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Room - 201
Topic | Rethinking Corporate Integrity: Trade Secrets, Whistleblowers, and the Public Interest.
Professor Peter Menell is a Koret Professor of Law at the University of California Berkeley School of Law and Co-Director of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology. Professor Menell has authored numerous books and treaties in the area of IP and has advised the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, and the Federal Trade Commission on various intellectual property law matters. Professor Menell spoke at the Luncheon on the topic of whistleblowers and determining whether trade secrets must be reported to preserve corporate integrity.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Room - 201
Topic | Preparing for PLIP.
The Chicago Loyola Patent Law Interview Program (PLIP) is a nationwide two-day interview program held in Chicago which creates opportunities for students to network and interview with IP employers for Summer Associate and full-time positions upon law school graduation. Professor Holte began this meeting by explaining what the Patent Law Interview Program is and how it has a national focus for all IP law students. He further reviewed the program’s timeline, and discussed how to tailor materials to create the best opportunity to maximize potential interviews. 3L, Nick Buchmuller shared his experiences from the PLIP last summer and gave valuable advice on how to make the best of this great opportunity.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Room - 280
Topic | Philosophical Foundation of IP, Patenting as Storytelling and Marketing, The Importance of Branding, and Legal Practice and the Business world.
Nick Buchmuller began the Lunch & Learn by conveying the importance of attending the CIPLA event on Feb 8, 2018, hosted at Akron Law, as well as the benefits of student CIPLA membership. Professor Holte reminded students of the upcoming IPTLA events planned for the Spring semester and introduced the Lunch & Learn speaker, John Hornickel. John Hornickel is Assistant General Counsel of PolyOne Corporation as well as adjunct International IP professor at The University of Akron School of Law.
John Hornickel discussed the importance of networking in law school and the significance of being “law of business.” He addressed various IP topics regarding the importance of understanding foundations of IP law in building a business, the importance of intangible property value, and its significance to any and all businesses. He further explained how IP value is created and why storytelling of an invention is essential to obtaining patent rights for such inventions. He explained the importance of understanding contemplation verses speculation in the patent system. He focused the latter of his presentation on the importance of branding and its significance on exciting customers.
He left his presentation open for students to ask any and all questions regarding IP matters. Students enjoyed Jimmy Johns and enjoyed hearing about various aspects of IP and its significance in the competitive world of business.
Location | Cleveland
Topic | The State of the Trademark Office
Professor Holte attended the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA) meeting with two first-year IP students from The University of Akron School of Law. Mary Boney Denison, the Commissioner for Trademarks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, spoke on the state of the trademark office. Those in attendance enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner.
Location | Auburn Science and Engineering Center at The University of Akron
Topic | IP Career Opportunities for Engineering Students
Professor Holte spoke with engineering undergraduate students about career opportunities after receiving a technical undergraduate degree. He described the path to law school after receiving a technical undergraduate degree. He also explained what intellectual property career paths are available to students with technical backgrounds, such as engineering.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law Room - 380
Topic | Duties and Life of IP In-house Counsel
IPTLA hosted a Lunch and Learn with Smucker’s in-house Intellectual Property Counsel. Students enjoyed Jimmy John’s as Dean Peters and Professor Holte introduced the members of Smucker’s in-house team. The Smucker’s team discussed their experiences and career paths to in-house counsel work. They discussed the importance of understanding legal and business aspects of a company while working in-house. The attorneys discussed their day-to-day responsibilities and their strong ties with outside counsel in the process of patent preparation and prosecution. The team concluded the discussion by answering questions from students, explained the costs and benefits of in-house work, and provided insight into different pathways of becoming in-house counsel. Members of the UPSTO and IP attorneys from Jones Day were present and also provided valuable insight.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | Preparing for a Career in Patent Law
IPTLA met to discuss career path opportunities in the field of patent law and how to set yourself apart from other IP students by taking the Patent Bar. Dean O’Brien discussed the importance of preparing final resumes for the PLIP (Loyola Patent Conference) and Spring OCIs. Nick Buchmuller provided a patent law time line that displayed important benchmarks and deadlines throughout your law school career to create the best opportunity for securing a patent law job upon graduation. Professor Holte further stressed the importance of building a strong resume displaying interests in patent law. He also explained the career benefits of having the Patent Bar on your resume early on in your law school career as well as the importance of showing dedication to this particular field of work on your resume. Professor Hrdy and Professor Brean expressed their personal takes on the importance of utilizing career services and taking advantage of employers visiting Akron Law for OCIs.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | Criminal Trademark Enforcement and Trademark Counterfeit Act
Professor McKenna, a professor from University of Notre Dame Law School visited Akron Law School to present a lecture on the topic of criminal trademark enforcement. After introductions from Dean Peters and Professor Holte, Professor McKenna went into further detail on this subject and discussed the Trademark Counterfeit Act, which creates narrowly enforced criminal penalties for egregious criminal trademark counterfeiting. Additionally, Professor McKenna explained the effect such penalties have, in comparison to civil penalties imposed on trademark counterfeit issues, when used outside their narrow scope. IP Faculty, local Northeastern Ohio IP attorneys, as well as IPAC and IPTLA members were present. Free CLE credit was offered to all attorneys and Old Carolina lunch was served to all in attendance.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | All IP
The University of Akron School of Law's Center for Intellectual Property and Technology hosted its Annual IP Scholars Forum. Participants from throughout the United States came to Akron for the Forum. The IP Scholars Forum is an event held each fall. The forum's purpose is to bring together a small group of prominent scholars for intensive, high-level discussions on cutting-edge issues of common interest. Participants enjoyed a concert at Blossom Music Center after the Forum.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | Do courts give too much deference to the Patent Office?
Professor Saurabh Vishnubhakat, an associate professor of Texas A&M School of Law, discussed whether courts give too much deference to the Patent and Trademark Office. Akron Law Professors Daniel Brean and Camilla Hrdy expanded and complimented the discussion siting as a panel directing questions to Professor Vishnubhakat. Attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch and gained valuable insights into the modern world of Intellectual Property Litigation.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | All IP
The Intellectual Property Advisory Council is a body of experts from around the world that assists Akron Law students and the law school via advice and guidance. IPAC is composed of dozens of IP attorneys who are passionate about helping advance Akron’s IP curriculum and aiding students in their career planning process.
IPAC brought together movers and shakers within the intellectual property community. President Wilson was in attendance. The group spent the day discussing numerous IP related topics and making plans for the upcoming year. IPAC members were also able to tour the new Law School building. The day ended with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the Law School’s construction.
Location | The University of Akron School of Law
Topic | All IP
IPTLA kicked off the year with food and IP! Students enjoyed Jimmy Johns while the IP Faculty and Student Leadership were introduced. Once introductions were done, leadership explained the numerous opportunities for IP oriented students at Akron Law. Dean Benedict O’Brien from Student Services made a cameo and spoke about current job opportunities, encouraging students to take full advantage of these offerings. Leadership gave a quick explanation about the Intellectual Property Law Center and the work it does to prepare students for careers in IP. Students also learned about the IP Certificate and LLM program. The meeting concluded with a directed discussion with Patent Bar Eligible students to explain what the Patent Bar process entails.
