This Week in Washington IP: Artificial Intelligence on Everyone’s Minds, IPWatchdog’s Patent Litigation Masters, and PPAC Hearing on Fee Adjustments

This week in Washington IP news, artificial intelligence is the hot topic of the week with the Senate and House both holding hearings on the subject. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will testify before the Senate as the young tech entrepreneur becomes the face of the emerging industry. Elsewhere, the USPTO is hosting a day-long expo on innovation in the green energy sector.

Monday, May 15

IPWatchdog

Patent Litigation Masters™ 2023

From Monday to Wednesday, IPWatchdog Studios, 20098 Ashbrook Place, Suite 100

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, IPWatchdog is hosting the third annual Patent Litigation Masters™ 2023 program. The program will focus on patent litigation in the United States and will explore litigation in the most active federal district courts in the country as well as appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We will also take a look at special issues of importance, including damages, patent eligibility, venue, injunctions, and more. If it happens as a part of litigating patents in the U.S., it will be covered as a part of this program.

USPTO AI and Inventorship Comments Due Today

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) sent a reminder out Friday that submissions for its AI inventorship Request for Comments (RFC) are due Monday, May 15. The FRN poses 11 questions for written response, including “how does the use of an AI system [in the invention process]…differ from the use of other technical tools”; whether AI inventions may be patentable under current patent laws on joint inventorship; and if statutory or regulatory changes should be made to better address AI contributions to inventions. 

Tuesday, May 16

Senate Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law

Oversight of A.I.: Rules for Artificial Intelligence

At 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226 and online livestream

On Tuesday, this Senate Judiciary Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the latest hot-button issue in Washington, artificial intelligence. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to testify before the committee as well as attend a closed-door, members-only event with House Republicans and Democrats on Monday. OpenAI’s headline product ChatGPT has taken the world by storm as many speculate as to its disruptive potential in the labor market and intellectual property.

Wednesday, May 17

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Green Energy Innovation Expo

At 9:00 AM on Wednesday, USPTO Headquarters Madison Building’s Clara Barton Auditorium

On Wednesday, the USPTO will hold a day-long event with 300 members of the technology development and commercialization community who work in the green energy sector in attendance. The goal of the expo is to facilitate partnerships between businesses and federal laboratories, universities, and private-sector innovators. Attendees will hear panel discussions, network with licensees and licensors, participate in a pitch competition, and listen to a presentation from industry licensees about green technology needs

House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet

Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part I – Interoperability of AI and Copyright Law

At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and online livestream

On Wednesday, this House Judiciary Subcommittee is holding a hearing on the impact of AI on the country’s copyright law. Little information has been released about the hearing, but subcommittee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) released a statement confirming the scheduling of the hearing.

U.S. Copyright Office

Spring 2023 AI Listening Sessions – Audiovisual Works

At 1:00 PM on Wednesday, online livestream

On Wednesday, the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) is holding its third AI listening session of Spring 2023 with this installment focusing on audiovisual works. USCO Director Shira Perlmutter will deliver opening remarks and then attendees will hear from stakeholders on the impact of AI on copyright. The Office has invited members of the public to register and speak at the event.

Brookings Institution

AI, emerging technologies, and the division of domestic labor

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, online livestream

On Wednesday, Brookings will take a wide look at the impact of artificial intelligence on household labor. Specifically, members of the panel will ask: are there particular areas of household labor tasks that can benefit from the application of emerging technologies such as AI? Ekaterina Hertog will deliver a keynote speech before the panel discussion.

Thursday, May 18

Patent Public Advisory Committee

Patent Public Advisory Committee Fee Setting Hearing

At 1:00 PM on Thursday, online livestream

On Thursday, the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) is holding a public hearing on the USPTO’s proposed adjustments to patent fees. Members of the public are invited to testify at the hearing or submit written comments.

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