The U.S. patent system provides a pathway for individuals and businesses to develop groundbreaking solutions that drive critical industries forward. Small business owners, like the members of ACT | The App Association, are among the many technology developers who strengthen the U.S. patent system by leveraging it to bring new solutions to market. Unfortunately, this system has seen abuse from entities that enforce weak, invalid, or non-practiced patents to profit from and deplete the U.S. innovation economy.

That is why we’re excited to host Patent Quality Week 2024, a collaborative effort by industry leaders to spotlight the importance of a well-balanced, competitive, and healthy U.S. patent system. During our core event, we’ll explore key issues surrounding patent quality, focusing on how a strong and balanced patent system is key to fostering innovation, empowering small businesses, and maintaining healthy competition in the U.S. innovation economy. Learn more about our events and RSVP below.

Our core event for Patent Quality Week will be held on September 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar in Washington, DC. The event will conclude with a reception to celebrate the United States and its commitment to high-quality patents.

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This event will feature a keynote address by USPTO Deputy Commissioner for Patents Charles Kim, followed by a panel discussion on critical issues that intersect emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and the U.S. patent system. Our esteemed panelists include:

 

A person smiling for a selfie Description automatically generatedAlex Moss, Executive Director, Public Interest Patent Law Institute

 

 

  

A person in a suit and tie Description automatically generatedJohnathan Stroud, General Counsel, Unified Patents

 

  

 

A person in a suit and tie Description automatically generatedMatthew H. Horton, Senior Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP

 

 

 

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Laura Sheridan, Head of Patent Policy, Google

 

 

 

Register: Here

 

Our second, and non-consecutive event is the Patent Quality Week Academic Competition and Networking Event on October 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at American University, Washington College of Law. This event will allow students to present patent-related research proposals in an academic competition, followed by a networking reception with policymakers and intellectual property experts. Our esteemed judges include:

 

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Lolita Darden, Visiting Associate Clinical Professor; Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Clinic, The George Washington University Law School and Chair of the USPTO Patent Public Advisory Committee

 

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Josh Landau, Adjunct Associate Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law and Senior Counsel, Innovation Policy, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

 

 

We invite all law students in the D.C. area to participate and all patent educators, experts, and practitioners to meet the next generation of patent trailblazers!

Register: Here

 

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!