While IP counsel and general patent practitioners are both experts on patents, their jobs are very different. An IP counsel may be in charge of a patent portfolio of over 500 patents focusing on gene therapy for Type I diabetes, while a general patent practitioner works more hand-in-hand with inventors whose products range from surfboard fins to rattlesnake coffee mugs.
In this CLE course, Liz Bui and Eric Hansom detail the difference between the roles of IP Counsel and general patent practitioners in the patent process. Eric and Liz mainly discuss the role of general counsel, IP counsel compared to the general patent practitioner, the biotech patent process and maximizing the value of the patent portfolio. These subjects will also be covered: hiring other attorneys, the value of patents to companies, the Gartner Hype Cycle, the value of the patent portfolio, the PTO Tech Fair, analytics for patent prosecutors, prototypes & testing, biotech startups, investors, patent applications, the America Invents Act, fast tracking patent applications, auditing the patent portfolio, international markets, patent coverage and managing growth.
Liz Bui, J.D., Ph.D., serves as Vice President & Intellectual Property Counsel at ViaCyte. Liz oversees all matters related to intellectual property and its allignment with company business goals and concerns. Eric Hanscom is actively involved in overseeing litigation, contract negotiation and customs issues in the US, Asia, Europe, South American and Australia over matters ranging from patent and trademark infringement to breach of contract.