Design Law 2018

Design Law 2018 was a symposium held on October 24, 2018, at the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. The event was organized by Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC, and the George Washington University Law School. It aimed to present and foster debate on cutting-edge design-related topics, bringing together design practice leaders, corporate practitioners, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office representatives, product designers, professors, and students from across the United States.

The symposium featured several panel sessions covering key topics in design law. One notable session, "How Much Can You Take Without Paying for it All: Monetary Remedies for Design Patent Infringement," discussed the framework for damages in design patent infringement cases, particularly in light of the Apple v. Samsung Supreme Court decision. Another session, "Is One Enough? Is Two Too Many? Claiming More Than One Embodiment," addressed issues related to claiming multiple embodiments in design patent applications and the implications for prosecution and enforcement.

The event also included a lightning session titled "The Complete Future of UI & Virtual Designs; GUI Potpourri," which explored the evolving nature of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and virtual designs. Presentations covered topics such as the transition from visual to multisensory designs, the shift from 2D to 3D, and the integration of artificial intelligence in design processes. Additionally, the session examined global approaches to protecting dynamic and animated designs, as well as challenges associated with virtual reality and augmented reality.

Design Law 2018 was designed for professionals involved in design law, including patent attorneys, corporate counsel, product designers, and academics. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field, gain insights into current trends and challenges, and participate in discussions that could inform their practice and research in design law.