14 Nov 2013
The history of patents and patent laws is generally considered to have started with a Statute of 1474 issued by the Republic of Venice, Italy. This decreed that new and inventive devices, once they had been put into practice, had to be communicated to the Venetian Republic in order to obtain legal protection against potential infringers.
The modern definition of a patent is: 'a form of intellectual property consisting of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention'.
Intellectual Property (IP) is now one of the major outputs of all Research and Development (R&D) organisations, yet for most scientists it remains an area shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. To debunk the myths, the SCI Young Chemists Group in collaboration with UK-based patent and trademark attorneys and litigators, EIP will hold a one-day workshop in London on 3 April 2014 entitled, 'What a chemist needs to know about patents'.
The workshop will feature modules presented by representatives from some of the world's leading Patent Attorneys and chemical companies including EIP, Fish & Richardson and Unilever. A full spectrum of patent activities will be covered including what makes inventions patentable, the drafting of patents and patent specifications, infringement and endorsement and even how to determine the value of your patent portfolio.
There will also be a 'rough guide' on how to deal with IP issues arising during third-party negotiations. Showcasing how to read and understand patents, the legal frameworks under which patents are filed and granted and the key factors which must be included for a patent to be valid, the sessions will be interactive, requiring input from the audience and designed to prompt group discussion.
The day will conclude with a case study exploring a real Unilever patent case, followed by a Q&A session which in the past has served to further confirm the interest and enthusiasm for this topic. The lunch, refreshment break and a wine reception after the close of the conference will also provide plenty of opportunity for the exchange of ideas and discussions with speakers and fellow attendees.
Aimed at R&D and legal staff covering a broad spectrum of industries, the conference is particularly relevant for those who wish to learn more about patents and IP within their area.
Related Links
- What a chemist needs to know about patents - 3 April 2014
- Young Chemists' Panel
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