CCIA To Hold Lunchtime Panel Discussion on Patents

File Under: 2006, Copyright

Oct 23, 2006

Washington, D.C. - A panel discussion entitled "Patents: What Went Wrong; What’s Next" will be hosted o­n November 1st, 2006, by the Computer & Communications Industry Association o­n Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House office building, room B-369 from 12:00 to 1:30pm.

"Junk patents plague high-tech companies, and ‘being infringed’ has become a lucrative business model," stated Ed Black, President and CEO of CCIA. The patent system is in crisis. Patents have become easy to get, as well as easy to assert. The backlog of patent applications is approaching o­ne million. Inadvertent infringement is commonplace, and lawyers are the o­nly sure winners.

The discussion will explore these problems and possible solutions. CCIA Fellow Brian Kahin, will moderate the discussion. Panelists for the discussion will include:

- Jim Bessen, founder and CEO of Bestinfo Software, Lecturer in Law Boston University, and Co-Editor of the Technological Innovation and Intellectual Property newsletter.

- John Duffy, Professor, George Washington University; Of Counsel, Fried Frank Harris Shriver and Jacobson. Professor Duffy is co-counsel for KSR International, whose patent appeal will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court o­n November 28.

- Mark Webbink, Deputy General Counsel, Red Hat, Inc.