Law Seminars International (LSI) will be holding a Patent Claim Construction workshop on July 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington.  The workshop will provide information on:

• Current case law and recent federal circuit developments.
• The development of claim construction theory and practice.
• Litigation strategies from plaintiff and defendant perspectives.
• Managing the prosecution process for the most effective claim drafting on a portfolio-wide basis.
• Drafting an application that complies with today's standards for a litigation or license ready patent.
• Effective use of graphics.

In particular, LSI's faculty will offer presentations on the following topics:

I.  The development of claim construction theory and practice

• Origins of patent claiming requirements;
• Patent claims' role to establish boundaries of exclusive rights & provide public notice of those rights;
• "Intrinsic" & "extrinsic" evidence of the meaning of patent claims;
• Legal theories of claim interpretation.

II.  Current case law and recent federal circuit developments in claim construction

• Review of 2007-2008 case law of the Federal Circuit on selected claim construction topics, such as whether preambles limit claim scope;
• Substantive and procedural issues.

III.  Ways for prosecutors to create patents worthy of litigation and tips to make it easier for litigators to defend

• In-house counsel perspective: Managing the prosecution process for the most effective claim drafting on a portfolio-wide basis;
• Outside counsel perspective: Drafting an application to comply with today's standards for a litigation or license ready patent;
• Responding to office actions that avoid file wrapper estoppel and increase the chance that allowed claims will be infringed.

IV.  Litigation strategies from plaintiff and defendant perspectives

• Advantages and disadvantages of evidentiary hearings;
• Laying the groundwork for successful summary judgment motions;
• What to do after the claim construction ruling.
• Getting claim constructions that strengthen all of your best defenses.

V.  Using graphics to help win claim construction disputes

• The increasingly important role of graphics in claim construction disputes;
• Elements of a successful graphic;
• How graphics can enhance your argument and increase your chances of winning;
• Examples from major disputes from around the country.

The agenda for the Patent Claim Construction workshop can be found here.  A complete brochure for this workshop, including an agenda, list of speakers, and registration form can be downloaded here.

The registration fee is $347.50 for students and new employees,$545 for government employees, or $695 for all other attendees. Those interested in registering for the workshop can do so here, by calling 1-800-854-8009, or by faxing a registration form to 1-206-567-5058.