John Marshall Law School's 60th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference

The John Marshall Law School's 60th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, held on February 26, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois, brought together leading experts to discuss significant developments in intellectual property law. The event featured prominent speakers, including Probir Mehta, Acting Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, and Christal Sheppard, Director of the Midwest Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The conference covered a range of critical topics, such as recent Supreme Court decisions affecting patent law, including Akamai Technologies, Inc. v. Limelight Networks, Inc., and Commil USA, LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc. Discussions also addressed copyright issues, including the minimal creativity standard established in Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., and its implications for various works. Trademark law was explored through cases like Ava Ruha Corporation dba Mother’s Market & Kitchen v. Mother’s Nutritional Center, Inc., focusing on laches in cancellation proceedings, and Swiss Grill Ltd. et al. v. Wolf Steel Ltd., examining the bona fide intent to use a trademark. Additionally, the conference highlighted the need for a national uniform act to protect trade secrets, referencing the Defend Trade Secrets Act passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in early 2016.

Attendees had opportunities to engage in breakout sessions focusing on current and problematic areas of IP protection, as well as to network with peers and industry leaders. The event provided a platform for in-depth analysis of recent decisions and future trends in intellectual property law, making it a valuable experience for legal professionals, academics, and students interested in staying abreast of developments in the field.