Media Advisory: UCI Law Presents Patent Sovereignty and International Law Conference
Including a timely discussion of patent protection under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
IRVINE, Calif. — The University of California, Irvine School of Law will host the “Patent Sovereignty and International Law” conference on Friday, October 16, 2015, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expert panels, moderated by UCI Law Professors Dan Burk, Greg Shaffer and Olufunmilayo Arewa, look at patent law under the TRIPs agreement and related treaties, examining the proper balance between international patent harmonization and national sovereignty. The recent Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, and its impact on patent protection, will be discussed.
The conference will be livestreamed, and a video recording will be available following the event.
WHAT: The international patent system walks a tightrope between harmonization and diversity. Harmonization efforts offer the benefit of uniformity, but because of diverse national interests, one size cannot fit all countries. What national flexibilities do current treaties, such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), offer? Given the rise of regional trade agreements, and controversies over “fast track” negotiating authority, what flexibilities will be available in the future? This conference begins with the recent Declaration on Patent Protection and Regulatory Sovereignty Under TRIPs as a launching point to explore the proper balance between international patent harmonization and national sovereignty.
WHERE: UC Irvine School of Law, EDU 1111 (map and directions). The event will also be streamed live.
WHEN: Friday, October 16, 2015, 8:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Conference Schedule
8:45 a.m.: Welcome
9:00-10:20 a.m.: Panel 1: The Declaration on Patent Protection
Reto Hilty, Max Planck Institute
Introduction to the Declaration
Rochelle Dreyfuss, NYU
On Aiding Technological Development: the Max Planck Declaration on Patent Protection
10:20-10:40 a.m.: Morning Break
10:40-12:00 p.m.: Panel 2: Applying the Declaration
Margo Bagley, University of Virginia
Show AND Tell?: Genetic Resource Disclosure of Origin Requirements and TRIPS
Marketa Trimble, UNLV
Patent Working Requirements
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30-2:50 p.m.: Panel 3: Patent Sovereignty in Action
Donald Harris, Temple University
The Declaration on Patent Protection: The Power of Ideas and New Dynamics in International Intellectual Property Lawmaking
Fred Abbott, Florida State University
The Undiscovered Country in Multilateral IP Regulation: Evolving Competition Law Doctrines for Regulating Patent Abuse
2:50-3:10 p.m.: Afternoon Break
3:10-4:30 p.m.: Panel 4: Patent Sovereignty in a Changing Environment
Cynthia Ho, Loyola University Chicago
A Collision Course: Investor-State Proceedings Challenging International IP Norms
Sean Flynn, American University
The Declaration on Patent Protection and Regulatory Sovereignty Under TRIPs and the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
4:45 p.m.: Adjourn
MEDIA CONTACT: Media planning to attend the event should contact Colleen Taricani, UCI Law Assistant Dean for Communications, at (949) 824-3063 or ctaricani@law.uci.edu.
REGISTER: Visit the event page to reserve a seat; space is limited.
ABOUT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SCHOLARSHIP AT UCI LAW
Consistently recognized among the most highly cited and influential intellectual property scholars in the nation — contributing to UC Irvine’s No. 6 ranking among U.S. law school faculties for scholarly impact — the IP faculty at UCI Law have written treatises, monographs, casebooks and articles that are regularly referenced by courts and relied upon by legislatures and other scholars. With expertise ranging from patent and copyright to antitrust and employees’ rights, UCI Law’s IP faculty lead collaborations with scholars from a variety of disciplines including biology, medicine, business, computer science, informatics, criminology, humanities and the arts.
ABOUT UC IRVINE SCHOOL OF LAW
UCI Law is a visionary law school focused on training talented and passionate lawyers and driven by professional excellence, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to enrich our communities through public service. UCI Law is a collegial environment, and our faculty comprises accomplished, nationally ranked thought leaders from around the country with a broad range of expertise. More about the Law School is available at law.uci.edu.