This Week in Washington IP: IPWatchdog Hosts SEP Masters, the State of Veteran Entrepreneurship, Rule Changes at the PTAB

Abita is a five-year-old Cavapoo who belongs to Benjamin Cappel of AddyHart.

This week in Washington IP news, the Senate Committee on Small Business hears from entrepreneurs who served in the U.S. military, and the House Subcommittee on Communications discusses the implications of AI technology on U.S. communications. Elsewhere, the USPTO evaluates how women can be empowered to become entrepreneurs and holds a webinar to explain proposed rule changes at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Monday, November 13

IPWatchdog

Standards, Patents, & Competition Masters™ 2023

From Monday to Wednesday, IPWatchdog Studios, Ashburn, VA

This interactive three-day program from IPWatchdog covers the state of the Standard Essential Patent industry today, from global attempts to regulate SEPs, to FRAND, unwilling licensees, patent pools, multi-jurisdiction enforcement strategies, the role of the ITC, standardization of critical and emerging technologies and much more.

Tuesday, November 14

House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

Leveraging AI to Enhance American Communications

At 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building and online livestream

This marks the third time a House Energy & Commerce subcommittee is holding a hearing to discuss AI’s impact on a sector of the U.S. economy, with this subcommittee turning its focus to the communications industry. To announce the hearing, the Chairs wrote, “AI could enhance the performance of next-generation networks and vastly improve internet speeds. But with the benefits of AI come potential risks, like enabling cybercriminals to develop potent threats to our critical communications infrastructure. American leadership is vital to ensure the responsible deployment of AI, protect people’s privacy, and unleash the full potential of this technology.”

Wednesday, November 15

New America

The Intersection of Federal Privacy Legislation & AI Governance

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, online livestream

With AI rapidly changing the technology landscape, federal governments across the globe are exploring rules and safeguards that need to be implemented. New America will discuss the U.S. federal government’s role in setting AI policy to protect privacy rights. Panelists will discuss existing legislation such as the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) which attempts to construct guardrails to protect individuals’ privacy.

Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Veteran Entrepreneurship: From Service to Small Business Success

At 2:30 PM on Wednesday, 428A Russell Senate Office Building and online livestream

The Senate Small Business Committee is holding a hearing to discuss the landscape of veteran entrepreneurship. The committee will hear from several successful entrepreneurs who served in the U.S. military as well as Col. Tim Green, USAF, the Acting Administrator of the Office of Veterans Business Development.

Thursday, November 16

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Learn about recent updates to internal decision circulation and review procedures at the PTAB

At noon on Thursday, online webinar

In this event, the USPTO is providing an overview of the changes as a result of its October 6 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Patent and Trial Appeal Board’s (PTAB) pre-issuance internal decision circulation and review. PTAB’s Vice Chief Judge Melissa Haapala will discuss these changes as well as a new Standing Operating Procedure on pre-issuance and post-issuance decision review.

Saturday, November 18

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Invest in HER: Empowering women’s ventures

At noon ET on Saturday, WB Collective New Orleans, LA and online livestream

In another installment in the USPTO’s Empowering Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) program, attendees will hear from a variety of women entrepreneurs who have succeeded in securing funding. Speakers will discuss how to get funding for great ideas and the resources available to help start and sustain successful businesses. In addition to several entrepreneurs, Valencia Martin Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents at the USPTO, will also speak about women’s entrepreneurship.