PTAB Masters™ 2025 IPW Studios, Ashburn, VA
January 27-29, 2025
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Agenda

Panels, times and speakers subject to change. Initial descriptions written by IPWatchdog. Descriptions will be updated by the panel to more specifically reflect the conversation that will be had by panelists.

Monday, Jan 27, 2025

1:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 1:00 PM America/New_York Registration ,

2:00 PM ET

The PTAB Today: An Overview of the Current PTAB Landscape*

The creation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) forever changed patent enforcement proceedings in the United States. Join us as we kick off our fifth annual PTAB Masters taking a look at the current state of the PTAB Landscape. PTAB Chief Judge Scott Boalick, Vice-Chief Judge Michael Tierney, and Vice-Chief Judge Melissa Haapala will provide an overview of…

Scott Boalick - USPTO Hon. Scott R. Boalick
Hon. Melissa A. Haapala
Judge Michael Tierney Hon. Michael Tierney
Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 2:00 PM America/New_York The PTAB Today: An Overview of the Current PTAB Landscape*

The creation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) forever changed patent enforcement proceedings in the United States. Join us as we kick off our fifth annual PTAB Masters taking a look at the current state of the PTAB Landscape. PTAB Chief Judge Scott Boalick, Vice-Chief Judge Michael Tierney, and Vice-Chief Judge Melissa Haapala will provide an overview of…

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3:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 3:00 PM America/New_York Networking Break ,

3:30 PM ET

PTAB Review: Recent Consequential Moments and Decisions

As we close out 2024 and move into 2025, this panel will review and analyze some of the most important PTAB “decisions” from the last year. In some cases, these decisions will be important rulings from either the PTAB or the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In other instances, some of the most important “decisions” from…

Scott McKeown
James Moore
Inge Osman
Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 3:30 PM America/New_York PTAB Review: Recent Consequential Moments and Decisions

As we close out 2024 and move into 2025, this panel will review and analyze some of the most important PTAB “decisions” from the last year. In some cases, these decisions will be important rulings from either the PTAB or the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In other instances, some of the most important “decisions” from…

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4:30 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 4:30 PM America/New_York Networking Break ,

5:00 PM ET

PREVAIL and the Future of PTAB Proceedings in a Trump PTO

? While there are diverse viewpoints on the PTAB, including on whether the tribunal should even continue to exist, it is difficult to argue with the proposition that the PTAB is not living up to its original purpose. The PTAB was sold to Members of Congress, and ultimately to the American people, as a faster, cheaper alternative to expensive patent…

Chris Israel
David J. Kappos Hon. David Kappos
Chief Judge Paul Michel Hon. Paul R. Michel
Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 5:00 PM America/New_York PREVAIL and the Future of PTAB Proceedings in a Trump PTO

? While there are diverse viewpoints on the PTAB, including on whether the tribunal should even continue to exist, it is difficult to argue with the proposition that the PTAB is not living up to its original purpose. The PTAB was sold to Members of Congress, and ultimately to the American people, as a faster, cheaper alternative to expensive patent…

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6:00 PM ET

Cocktail Reception

Please join us for beer, wine, cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres

Add to Calendar 01/27/2025 6:00 PM America/New_York Cocktail Reception

Please join us for beer, wine, cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres

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Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025

9:00 AM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 9:00 AM America/New_York Registration & Breakfast ,

9:30 AM ET

Navigating Parallel Patent Challenges at the PTAB and in Federal Court

? Navigating parallel proceedings is fraught with risk. What you do say in one tribunal can and will be used—for better or for worse—in front of other tribunals. And what judges in one tribunal decide can and will be used by the parties in front of other tribunals. And what is the state of interplay between proceedings before district courts…

Cook Alciati
Drew Sommer Andrew (Drew) Sommer
Todd Walters
Benjamin Weed
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 9:30 AM America/New_York Navigating Parallel Patent Challenges at the PTAB and in Federal Court

? Navigating parallel proceedings is fraught with risk. What you do say in one tribunal can and will be used—for better or for worse—in front of other tribunals. And what judges in one tribunal decide can and will be used by the parties in front of other tribunals. And what is the state of interplay between proceedings before district courts…

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10:30 AM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 10:30 AM America/New_York Networking Break ,

11:00 AM ET

Patent Owner’s Perspective of the PTAB

? USPTO Director Kathi Vidal recently wrote on the Director’s Blog about how wonderful the PTAB has been, saying in part: “Since AIA proceedings began over a decade ago, almost 70% of challenged patents have been upheld at the PTAB.” Simply stated, Director Vidal is wrong. This mischaracterization is enabled by a belief that a settlement by the patent owner…

Chuck Hong
Louisa Salomon Louisa Salomon
DeAnn Smith
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 11:00 AM America/New_York Patent Owner’s Perspective of the PTAB

? USPTO Director Kathi Vidal recently wrote on the Director’s Blog about how wonderful the PTAB has been, saying in part: “Since AIA proceedings began over a decade ago, almost 70% of challenged patents have been upheld at the PTAB.” Simply stated, Director Vidal is wrong. This mischaracterization is enabled by a belief that a settlement by the patent owner…

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12:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 12:00 PM America/New_York Lunch ,

1:00 PM ET

Unforced PTAB Errors: Pitfalls Patent Owners Should Avoid

? A formidable challenge is presented to patent owners by the PTAB, where inter partes review (IPR) institution rates are about 67% and final written decisions find all challenged claims unpatentable up to 70% of the time. Weak arguments undermine a patent owner response in two ways. They can dilute and distract from strong merits arguments, and they can undermine…

Daniel Drolet
Richard Kim
Stephen T. Schreiner
Peter Sullivan
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 1:00 PM America/New_York Unforced PTAB Errors: Pitfalls Patent Owners Should Avoid

? A formidable challenge is presented to patent owners by the PTAB, where inter partes review (IPR) institution rates are about 67% and final written decisions find all challenged claims unpatentable up to 70% of the time. Weak arguments undermine a patent owner response in two ways. They can dilute and distract from strong merits arguments, and they can undermine…

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2:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 2:00 PM America/New_York Networking Break ,

2:30 PM ET

Petitioner’s Perspective: Tips for Winning at the PTAB

This panel will explore best practices for succeeding at the PTAB from the perspective of the petitioner, including tips on framing arguments, selecting and utilizing experts, preparing declarations and expert reports, and other key strategies. PLEASE NOTE: This panel will be off-the-record. Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Petitioners-Perspective

Jonathan Bowser Jonathan Bowser
Tim Jezek
Dan Smith
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 2:30 PM America/New_York Petitioner’s Perspective: Tips for Winning at the PTAB

This panel will explore best practices for succeeding at the PTAB from the perspective of the petitioner, including tips on framing arguments, selecting and utilizing experts, preparing declarations and expert reports, and other key strategies. PLEASE NOTE: This panel will be off-the-record. Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Petitioners-Perspective

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3:30 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 3:30 PM America/New_York Networking Break ,

4:00 PM ET

Strategies for Winning on Institution at the PTAB

? Our panel of experts will share insights and practical tips for successfully navigating the institution phase of PTAB proceedings. We will cover key strategies for drafting persuasive petitions, patent owner responses, and the all important issues surrounding discretionary denials, including the future of NHK-Finitv. Whether you’re a petitioner or patent owner, this session will help you identify and execute…

Brent Babcock Brenton Babcock
Matthew Johnson
Nathan Sportel
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 4:00 PM America/New_York Strategies for Winning on Institution at the PTAB

? Our panel of experts will share insights and practical tips for successfully navigating the institution phase of PTAB proceedings. We will cover key strategies for drafting persuasive petitions, patent owner responses, and the all important issues surrounding discretionary denials, including the future of NHK-Finitv. Whether you’re a petitioner or patent owner, this session will help you identify and execute…

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5:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 5:00 PM America/New_York Networking Break ,

5:15 PM ET

IPWatchdog Unleashed: Live Audience Podcast Recording

On this episode of IPWatchdog Unleashed we speak with Scott McKeown, who is a shareholder at Wolf Greenfield. Scott leads the firm’s post grant patent practice, and he is the author of PatentsPostGrant.com, which provides inside views and news pertaining to the nation’s busiest patent court, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the United States Patent and Trademark…

Scott McKeown
Gene Quinn
Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 5:15 PM America/New_York IPWatchdog Unleashed: Live Audience Podcast Recording

On this episode of IPWatchdog Unleashed we speak with Scott McKeown, who is a shareholder at Wolf Greenfield. Scott leads the firm’s post grant patent practice, and he is the author of PatentsPostGrant.com, which provides inside views and news pertaining to the nation’s busiest patent court, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the United States Patent and Trademark…

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6:00 PM ET

Cocktail Reception

Please join us for beer, wine, cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres

Add to Calendar 01/28/2025 6:00 PM America/New_York Cocktail Reception

Please join us for beer, wine, cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres

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Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025

9:00 AM ET

Add to Calendar 01/29/2025 9:00 AM America/New_York Breakfast ,

9:30 AM ET

After the PTAB: Winning at the Federal Circuit

? Winning and losing at the Federal Circuit can sometimes seem arbitrary, and panel dependent. Confounding matters for patent owners is the extremely deference standard of review the Federal Circuit uses when reviewing PTAB decisions, and the unfortunately common practice of the Federal Circuit issuing one-sentence affirmances of PTAB decisions under Rule 36. Still, there are many attorneys that have…

Tim Fink
Kevin McNish Kevin McNish
Angela Oliver
Add to Calendar 01/29/2025 9:30 AM America/New_York After the PTAB: Winning at the Federal Circuit

? Winning and losing at the Federal Circuit can sometimes seem arbitrary, and panel dependent. Confounding matters for patent owners is the extremely deference standard of review the Federal Circuit uses when reviewing PTAB decisions, and the unfortunately common practice of the Federal Circuit issuing one-sentence affirmances of PTAB decisions under Rule 36. Still, there are many attorneys that have…

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10:30 AM ET

Add to Calendar 01/29/2025 10:30 AM America/New_York Networking Break ,

11:00 AM ET

A PTAB Judge’s Perspective

This panel will provide insights from Administrative Patent Judges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. While patent attorneys may believe their approaches are best practices and highly persuasive, the real question is whether the PTAB Judges agree. What do the Judges consider most effective and convincing in written submissions and oral arguments? What do they find least helpful, and…

Hon. Michael Kim
Grace Karaffa Obermann Hon. Grace Karaffa Obermann
Add to Calendar 01/29/2025 11:00 AM America/New_York A PTAB Judge’s Perspective

This panel will provide insights from Administrative Patent Judges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. While patent attorneys may believe their approaches are best practices and highly persuasive, the real question is whether the PTAB Judges agree. What do the Judges consider most effective and convincing in written submissions and oral arguments? What do they find least helpful, and…

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12:00 PM ET

Add to Calendar 01/29/2025 12:00 PM America/New_York Lunch ,

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