This Week in Washington IP: Changes at the PTAB and How to Use the Copyright Claims Board

This week in Washington IP news, Congress is about halfway through its summer recess, but events in Washington continue even if there isn’t much IP related going on. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) debates how the FAA could facilitate more commercial drone innovation, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers an overview of upcoming changes at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Copyright Office will walk attendees through the basics of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB).

Monday, August 14

Center for American Progress

Transforming the Economy: Forging Black Economic Power Across America

At 2:30 PM on Monday, Barn & Bowl Bistro, Martha’s Vineyard

The Center for American Progress is hosting this panel event in collaboration with the National Partnership of Women & Families to discuss how to promote economic opportunities in Black communities. The discussion will focus on how recent legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) can be used to overcome historic economic disparities. The panelists will also look at how recent technological advancements within the economy can be put to good use.

Thursday, August 17

Information Technology & Innovation Foundation

How Can Policymakers Support the Adoption of Drones for Package Deliveries?

At 11:00 AM on Thursday, online webinar

Tech firms and innovators have long promised that drones will reshape delivery services by cutting costs and increasing efficiency. However, the technology is yet to be rolled out to the general public with the ITIF arguing the Federal Aviation Administration is at least partly to blame. This ITIF panel will discuss how the FAA could update regulations and provide more comprehensive guidelines that would allow commercial drone delivery.

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Patent and Trial Appeal Board Boardside Chat webinar

At noon on Thursday, online webinar

On July 24, 2023, the USPTO instituted changes to the PTAB including  updating the interim Director Review process, retiring the Precedential Opinion Panel process, and creating the Delegated Rehearing Panel and the Appeals Review Panel. PTAB’s Acting Deputy Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande, Acting Vice Chief Judge James Worth, and Lead Judge Jeffrey Abraham will discuss these changes and their implications. Following the discussion, the panel will hold a question-and-answer session.

U.S. Copyright Office

What You Need to Know about Small Claims and the Copyright Claims Board

At 2 PM on Thursday, online webinar

In this webinar, the USCO will walk attendees through the basics of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). The webinar leaders will touch on the types of claims the CCB can hear, available legal resources, and why someone might consider participating in the United States’ first intellectual property small claims tribunal. The USCO established the CCB in 2020 to hear copyright disputes with damages up to $30,000.