“Patent Law Changes 2007: Navigating the Minefield” set for Atlanta.
Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) November 7, 2007 -- Although most people are completely unaware, recent and proposed federal changes are about to make it much tougher and more expensive for innovators, entrepreneurs, universities and investors to get patents. Two events are planned this month in Atlanta to educate businesses that could be affected.
The overall effect of the changes is to cut back on the number of patents filed, make it harder and more costly to obtain them, and make enforcement more difficult. Some experts are concerned that the changes would negatively affect the environment for innovation and technology investment, damaging U.S. competitiveness and the economy.
Morris, Manning & Martin partners Jack Todd and John Harris will lead two sessions of a seminar titled “Patent Law Changes 2007: Navigating the Minefield.” One event will be geared to general counsel and in-house patent lawyers; the other will be for CEOs, CFOs and top executives of technology companies, as well as venture capitalists and other members of the investment community.
“If it’s harder to get patents, it could become harder to get venture capital,” adds Harris. “These developments are not helpful to businesses and VCs that depend on patents to protect innovation investments and competitive advantage.”
"New Patent and Trademark Office rules that would significantly increase costs and limit patent protection for all patent applicants have been temporarily blocked by a Federal Court," Todd says. "And there is still time for innovators and companies to impact a significant patent reform bill now before Congress, which, in its current form, shifts significant costs and burdens on inventors and companies trying to patent their technology."
The event geared toward general counsel will be held Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 a.m. in Morris, Manning & Martin’s office on the 18th floor of the Atlanta Financial Center. Participants are eligible for 1.5 hours CLE credit. The breakfast seminar is held in conjunction with the Tech GC Roundtable.
The seminar geared to CEOs, CFOs and other top decision makers will be held Thursday, November 15 at the UGA Atlanta Alumni Center in the Atlanta Financial Center. Registration for the luncheon program starts at 11:30 a.m.
To register for the events, contact Barbara Honeysucker at events @ mmmlaw.com or call 404.504.7634.
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP (www.mmmlaw.com) enjoys national prominence for its corporate finance, securities, litigation, technology, intellectual property, real estate and real estate capital markets, environmental, insurance and healthcare practices. The firm has offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham and Princeton.
Media Contact for Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP:
Terri Thornton, Thornton Communications, (404) 932-4347 territhornton @ mindspring.com
Source: PRWeb: Legal / Law
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