This Week in Washington IP: Reforming the PTAB, Evaluating U.S.-China Relations, and a Look at IP and Bourbon

This week in Washington IP news, the Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property hears from stakeholders on proposed reforms to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Elsewhere, the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) dives into a new report looking at Taiwanese IP strategies, and the Brookings Institution evaluates recent developments in U.S.-China relations.

Monday, November 6

Brookings Institution & Stanford University

Assessing US-China Interaction at APEC

At 3:00 PM on Monday, Reuben W. Hills Conference Room, Stanford, CA and online livestream

Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in San Franciso from November 15-17, Brookings and Stanford will look at what the meetings might mean for US-China relations. In addition to looking at the upcoming meeting, the expert panel will also dive into recent developments in the countries’ strained relationship.

Wednesday, November 8

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Spirits and Intellectual Property: Bourbon

At 1:00 PM on Wednesday, Market on Main, Louisville, KY and online livestream

The USPTO is hosting a specialized IP event targeted at those in the bourbon industry straight from the home of bourbon, Kentucky. The event will be hosted in collaboration with the Kentucky IP Alliance (KYIPA) and will include talks from both bourbon and IP specialists. The special event will include information on brand protection, patents, and licensing for spirits.

Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property

Reforming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board – The PREVAIL Act and Proposals to Promote U.S. Innovation Leadership

At 2:30 PM on Wednesday, Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226 and online livestream

The Senate IP Subcommittee is holding a hearing to discuss the PREVAIL Act, legislation introduced in June to reform the Patent Trial and Appeal Board  (PTAB). Members of the subcommittee will hear testimony from several IP lawyers as well as Joe Kiani, founder and CEO of Masimo Corp. The goal of the legislation is to increase PTAB transparency by overhauling the board.

Center for Strategic & International Studies

Manufacturing beyond Shores: The Taiwanese Checklist Approach to Intellectual Property Protection

At 3:00 PM on Wednesday, online livestream

This event is part of a CSIS series on IP titled Renewing American Innovation Project and LeadershIP. The event will look at a recent report by Emma Hsu that looks at Taiwanese companies’ experience working with Chinese firms and the nonlegal IP protections available to them. Hsu will discuss the options these firms use in light of the changing predictability of the Chinese IP market.

Thursday, November 9

The Center for American Progress

Tackling the Climate Crisis and Building Resilient and Equitable Communities With the Inflation Reduction Act

At 1:30 PM on Thursday, online livestream

In collaboration with the CLEO Institute, CAP is hosting this event to explore the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Florida’s population and economy. The Inflation Reduction Act earmarked $369 billion to accelerate the transition to clean energy with significant subsidies and incentives for domestic clean energy production. With the goal of adding 1.3 million jobs to the U.S. economy, the event will dissect the large impact the bill may have on the Florida and U.S. economy.