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National IP Bar Associations from UK Bring Roadshow to Boston
By
Eric Raciti
,
Finnegan
![Eric Raciti](/image/4392323.1557363252000/Eric-Raciti.png)
The BPLA International and Foreign Practice committee was honored to participate with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), the Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys (CITMA) and the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) in presenting “Intellectual Property Beyond Brexit” at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Boston on April 23rd. The all-day program, or
programme
rather, was the first-ever North American roadshow by CIPA and CITMA. The event was chaired by Tony Rollins, Past President of CIPA.
A judicial panel, featuring the dynamic UK judge Sir Colin Birss from the High Court of England and Wales and our esteemed Chief Judge Patti B. Saris from the federal court for the District of Massachusetts, started an interesting day of transatlantic interaction. The two judges compared their experiences on the bench adjudicating complex IP cases. While Brexit was on everyone’s mind, Mr. Justice Birss would later deliver a lunch keynote address that reassured the audience that everything would be all right. Keep Calm and Carry On!
A panel addressing the patent aspects of Brexit and other hot topics, such as the patentability of AI, was moderated by Julia Mathis, IP Counsel at Hologic and included Julia Florence, CIPA President as well as European Patent Attorneys Simon Wright from JA Kemp and Mike Jennings from AA Thornton.
Representatives from the UKIPO and the USPTO were also on hand to discuss the trade-related aspects of Brexit. The panel featured UKIPO Directors Adam Williams, from the International Policy Directorate and Andy Bartlett from Business Operations. Charlie Pearson, Director of the Office of International Patent Legal Administration from the USPTO represented the former colonies.
During a very informative panel on the complicated impact of Brexit on trademarks and designs, the audience was tutored by Tania Clark, CITMA President, Richard Goddard, CITMA Vice President, and attorneys Matt Maitland of EIP and Clare Cornell of Finnegan.
The BPLA International and Foreign Practice Committee was proud to participate in this historic event and looks forward to welcoming CIPA and CITMA back to America soon!
Chief Judge Saris (r) makes a point on judging patent cases as Mr. Justice Birss looks on. EPAs Richard Roberts of Potter Clarkson (far left) and Mike Jennings (front right) of AA Thornton take notes.
Julia Mathis of Hologic (l) moderates the patent law panel with (l to r) CIPA President Julia Florence, Simon Wright of JA Kemp and Mike Jennings of AA Thornton
Tony Rollins, CIPA Past President