14 June 2012

The Natural History Museum in London provided a suitably impressive venue to host Murgitroyd & Company’s “Afternoon Tea with former US Patent Office Commissioner Robert L. Stoll” event on 12 June 2012.

Around 70 guests heard an informative and insightful presentation on the forthcoming changes due to US Patent Law under the America Invents Act (AIA).  The event, which was chaired by Murgitroyd’s Director of Patent Practice, Graham Murnane, included a lively panel discussion with a group of industry experts consisting of Carol Arnold (Shell), Wendy Filler (GlaxoSmithKline), Eric Siecker (Caterpillar) and Andy Timms (Doosan Babcock).  The speakers and panellists discussed a wide range of legal and commercial issues relating to the enactment of the AIA, while an engaging question and answer session saw questions posed from the floor on wider issues such as the EU Patent.

Mr Stoll highlighted that there are still a number of issues to be clarified prior to the entry into force of the AIA, while Gregory J. Lavorgna from US Attorneys Drinker Biddle, joined his colleague Bob Stoll to outline a series of proactive steps which patent applicants can take now to prepare for the AIA changes.

After the presentation, guests enjoyed refreshments, with many taking the opportunity to have their picture taken with our friendly dinosaur Dennis.  Thanks are due to all participants and attendees for making the event such a success and special congratulations are extended to prize draw winner Jason Witten of Witten Law, who will shortly receive an exclusive bottle of Murgitroyd 12-Year old single Highland malt whisky.

A copy of the slides from Bob Stoll’s presentation, are available from this link.