BPLA Newsletter Summer 2021

Table of Contents

Community Calendar

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Message from the President Daniel Young

2021 Writing Competition

Message from the Editor

2021 BPLA Invented Here!

The Patent Pro Bono Program of New England

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Holds Roundtable Discussion

Doctrine of Equivalents and Infringement in the UK Courts

Impact and Consequences of the Controversial Unconstitutional Patent Term Extension in Brazil

Making the Case for Sleep: New Science for the Legal ProfessionIn House Committee: The New Normal

List of Officers and Board of Governors and Committees

In Memoriam: John Doll

Job Listings

Patent Office Practice Virtual Lunch Discussion

Community Calendar

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Volume 52, Issue 3

Summer 2021 NEWSLETTER

Volume 52, Issue 3

By Daniel Young

President's Message

Message from the Editor

Dear Colleagues,

In this back-to season, back-to-the-office and back-to-school, I hope you are all filled with a sense of new beginnings and renewal. If you need a little help in the renewal department, I encourage you to read the article on improving sleep by Rachel Casper from Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. If we struggle with sleep, we face an uphill battle in the rest of our work and life. If you would like more personalized advice on improving your sleep or other wellness topics, attorneys admitted in Massachusetts can schedule a free and confidential consultation with a licensed clinician at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, an organization funded by bar dues.

I encourage you to read about the Patent Pro Bono Program of New England. This year we are focusing on both IP and non-IP opportunities to contribute time to the greater community by doing pro bono work. If you or your colleagues have provided important pro bono services, we encourage you to submit a nomination for the first annual BPLA Pro Bono Award. Submit your nominations here!

This month, we also feature two articles on foreign patent practice: one on the doctrine of equivalents in the UK and one on patent term extension in Brazil. If you are interested in specific countries or specific legal topics for foreign law updates, please feel free to reach out to me at vice‑president@bpla.org.

We also report on updates from our community including the In-House Practice Committee, the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and the 2021 Writing Competition. I would like to thank BPLA’s administrator, Constance Brennan, and the staff of Readz for their help in preparing this newsletter.

Finally, I hope you will join me in remembering John Doll, former Commissioner for Patents, and Acting Director of the USPTO, who died in May. He served at the USPTO for 35 years and had a special focus on patent quality. The function of our patent system and the worldwide reputation of US patents relies on quality examination and public servants like Mr. Doll.

Rebecca McNeill Editor

By Lucas Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston

The Patent Pro Bono Program of New England

By Sarah Kostiuk-Smith and Julie Carlisle, Mewburn Ellis

Doctrine of Equivalents and Infringement in the UK Courts

By Rachel Casper, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Making the Case for Sleep: New Science for the Legal Profession

The 11th Annual BPLA

2021 Invented Here!

By Giovanna Chinait

Impact and Consequences of the Controversial Unconstitutional Patent Term Extension in Brazil