SVIPLA October 22 - Is this technical enough? Understanding the EPO’s Approach to Computer Implemented Inventions

SVIPLA OCTOBER DINNER MEETING
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel
4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Is this technical enough?
Understanding the EPO’s Approach
to Computer Implemented Inventions

6:00-7:00 p.m. - Registration/hosted cocktails
7:00 p.m. - Dinner and program

SVIPLA is pleased to welcome Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton as co-sponsor for our October dinner meeting.  They will host the cocktail and appetizers from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

PROGRAM:
The European Patent Office can be a baffling place for those seeking to obtain a European patent,: particularly for those dealing with computer implemented inventions. SVIPLA is pleased to have two senior EPO examiners to talk about practicing before the EPO, with an emphasis on computer implemented inventions – this is where many of the differences between U.S. and European practice become the starkest. Our speakers will provide guidance on how appropriate drafting practices can improve the chances of success at the EPO. In addition, a London attorney will shed light on the current state of the proposed European “Unitary Patent” and “Unified Patent Court.” 

SPEAKERS:
ALEX GARDINER and FALK GIEMSA are patent examiners from the EPO and two of the authors of the book entitled “Patent Law for Computer Scientists: Steps to Protect Computer-Implemented Inventions.”

Mr. Gardiner studied engineering at Aberdeen University, Scotland and joined the EPO in Munich in 1990. Between 1997 and 2007 he was based in The Hague and faced the rapid increase in business method applications. He developed new working practices and procedures at the EPO in related matters and trained examiners at all EPO sites accordingly.  

Mr. Giemsa studied computer science at LMU in Munich, Germany. He joined the EPO as an examiner in 2002 and works in the fields of business methods and educational and demonstration appliances.

JIM BOFF is a UK and European patent attorney with the London firm Phillips & Leigh. He has a chemistry and materials science background. He has been practicing before the European Patent Office for nearly 30 years, and is a member of various EPO and European Patent Institute committees. Having spent nearly 15 years acting as an examiner on the qualifying examination for European Patent Attorneys, he knows his way through some of the lesser travelled parts of the European Patent Convention. 

If you have problems registering for the October meeting and want to make a reservation, please email Casey at svipla@yahoo.com.

DEADLINE FOR RESERVATION OR CANCELLATION: Friday noon, October 18, 2013.  Online registration automatically closes at that time - please make your reservation online by the deadline as there are only a few extra spaces allotted at the meeting for walk-ins. The venue may not be able to serve meals beyond the guaranteed number expected for the meeting.

SVIPLA Tax ID#-77-0491659

MCLE: This event will qualify for 1 hour of CLE credit. The Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.