Table of Contents

Message from the President Emily Whelan

Message from the Editor

Announcement of Selection Process for New Committee Cochairs

Quantum computing inventions before the European Patent Office, the US Patent and Trademark Office and elsewhere

Updates on European Practice

Annual PCT Seminar

International & Foreign Practice Committee: Inventing the Invention Story

2025 Annual Meeting Announcement

15th Annual Invented Here! Nominations are Extended to January 7, 2026

2026 BIPLA Symposium Announcement

Suffolk University Online JD Program

List of Officers and Board of Governors

Job Listings

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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Volume 56, Issue 4

Updates on European Practice

On September 16, 2025, the International & Foreign Practice Committee hosted a virtual session on “Key Updates and Insights in European Supplementary Protection Certificates.” This session was presented by Michael Pears of the European firm Potter Clarkson.  Michael has extensive experience with European Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), a form of IP that can provide an additional period of exclusivity beyond patent expiry for medicinal and plant protection products.  Michael provided an excellent introduction to SPCs, followed by a clear explanation of the conditions that need to be met to obtain an SPC, key case law developments, the SPC manufacturing waiver, and proposed legislation reform.  Many thanks again to Michael and those who attended for an extremely informative and engaging session.   

On October 9, 2025, the International & Foreign Practice Committee hosted an in-person event on “The Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patents in Europe – Unlocking the Potential of European Patent Enforcement in the UPC and National Courts.” Mike Gilbert from international firm Marks & Clerk presented an insider’s perspective on the transformative changes being brought by the Unified Patent Court and the Unitary Patent system, including key developments and trends over the past two years since the UPC opened its doors. This was an extremely engaging session, with lots of interesting discussion followed by a drinks reception where the conversation continued.  With thanks again to Michael and his colleague, Daniel McGrath, for sharing their insights, and to Foley Hoag for hosting the event.