Thursday Evening Pre-Conference - In this session, you will learn why patents exist and how they protect inventions. Expert presenters from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will offer a detailed explanation of patent application filing requirements; forms required and associated filing fees. These experts will also review provisional applications, utility and design applications.
GENERAL SESSION PRESENTATIONS (Friday or Saturday)
You Have an Idea….Now what -We all have great ideas, but getting from a great idea to something that generates a profit requires planning and execution. It is critical for inventors to determine the feasibility of an idea and to follow a development strategy in order to maximize the likelihood of success.
So You Want to be an Inventor? Passion, Prestige or Profit – Hear first hand from an inventor who will share the difficult process of getting an idea into a “golden sample” that’s ready for retail sale. Hear the struggles of creating, sustaining, raising money and advancing a company.
Taking your Invention to Market: How to increase your opportunities for success - Inventing is just the first step to the life cycle of a product. What's next if you choose to take on the challenges of bringing your product to market? How can you maximize your exposure on a limited budget? What is the real story on doing business with mass market retailers and how can you prepare yourself for the ride so you don't fall off?
Selling consumer products to USA retailers – An enlightening presentation about the "realistic expectations" of getting products onto the shelves of retailers, and the differences between Merchandising and Marketing; and the importance of both to achieve retail success
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Advanced Tips for the Seasoned Inventor - This session will cover complex prosecution topics including declaration practice under rules 37 CFR 1.131 and 1.132 in order to overcome prior art references, the filing of terminal disclaimers in order to overcome double patenting rejections, requests for pre-appeal conferences, formalities required in order to file an appeal, and the procedure to revive an abandoned application.
Application Preparation - In this session, you will learn why patents exist and how they protect inventions. Expert presenters from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will offer a detailed explanation of patent application filing requirements; forms required and associated filing fees. These experts will also review provisional applications, utility and design applications will be discussed.
Claim Construction and Handling Rejection - Now that you understand the basics of the patent process, learn how to properly define your invention in a claim. Learn the requirements to submit your application and what to expect from the Office. How to respond to an Office Action that rejects your claims and what the examiner means. How to properly prepare your amendment.
Commercializing Intellectual Property Through Licensing -You've developed your invention ... you've identified a potential market ... maybe you have a partner in mind. What do you do now? This session will provide an overview of commercializing your invention through licensing. Included will be a discussion of a commercialization timeline from a transactional point of view, and information you need to know to protect yourself and maintain control of your intellectual property as you partner and market your invention. Also included will be a discussion of securing licenses from individuals and companies to use their intellectual property.
Design Applications - The Design Application session will teach the filing requirements for design applications. It will also cover the difference between design applications and copyrights and how design patents protect the appearance of an object and enhance its commercial value.
Local Resources In Your Area - Although you will be hearing from local resources in the Virginia area, these resources are actually located throughout the country and available to inventors everywhere. The USPTO's Patent and Trademark Depository Librarians and the Alexandria Small Business Development Center will provide information about their respective resources.
One-on-One with the Experts (sign up in advance) - Friday evening and Saturday morning we have alloted time for you to sit down with an expert and have 15 minutes of consultation free! Advance sign up is required for Friday evening, and Saturday morning. The sign up will be available beginning at 10:45 outside of the Auditorium. Please sign up for one session at this time, after lunch if more slots are available you are welcome to sign up for another session.
Oops I think I Have a Problem – Inventor Dilemmas - Learn about invention marketing companies, what to do about an examiner's rejection and what happens after a patent is issued. Information is provided about the common questions from inventors.
Patent Searching, Navigating the USPTO Web site, and Electronic Filing System (EFS) - In this session you will learn how to conduct a patent search. Supervisory Patent Examiners from the United States Patent and Trademark Office will provide tips and guidance that can help you search out those related patents.
Trademark Applications - Trademarks will explore the groundwork you need to apply for the trademark that will identify your invention for the public. It will cover the definition of a mark that can be registered and the federal law that is the basis of the registration system. It will also give you a thumbnail sketch of the trademark registration process from new application workflow through post-registration maintenance. The new Madrid Protocol system for international registration will be discussed as well.
Trademark Searching - In this session, you will learn how to conduct a trademark search. A USPTO Trademark attorney will provide tips and guidance that can help you search out those problems that could ultimately sink your business.
Understanding the Examiners’ Examination – What is the examiner’s responsibility once your application has been assigned to him/her? What does the examiner’s communication mean, how can you fix your application? Learn what it means from the examiner’s perspective.
Working With Your Patent Attorney/Agent - This presentation covers some important factors for the inventor to consider when finding, selecting, and working with a patent attorney/agent. By selecting carefully, by knowing what the attorney/agent will need before the first visit even takes place, and by knowing what to expect during the patent application process you will have a better understanding when working with your patent attorney/agent.
