American Conference Institute (ACI) a conference on Patent Reform for Life Sciences Companies from January 31 to February 1, 2012 in New York, NY.  Topics of discussion at the conference will include:

• Scrutinizing the specific provisions of patent reform in The America Invents Act (S. 23 & H.R. 1249);
• Analyzing the impact of a change to the first to file system from a first to invent system;
• Strategic tools for taking advantage of or defending against expanded opposition procedures including inter partes reviews, supplemental examinations, post-grant reviews and multiple oppositions;
• Accounting for changes to PTO fees including the reduction of fees for small and micro-entities;
• Determining what constitutes prior art under the new requirements;
• Navigating changes to PTO practices and procedures; and
• Revamping strategic IP planning in light of new requirements under patent reform.

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

• Keynote address: USPTO Commissioner Robert L. Stoll;
• The timeline of enactment: Identifying what needs to be done now and planning for future changes;
• First to file: Developing an updated and comprehensive intellectual property strategy in the new race to the Patent Office regime;
• Audience Q&A open forum for discussion on the impact of first to file;
• Examining the consequences of changes to inventorship provisions;
• Prior art and public disclosure: Identifying what constitutes prior art under the revised §102;
• Expediting the examination process by strategically using the different examination tracks, including the new prioritized examination option;
• Balancing the seemingly contradictory best mode provisions to maximize IP protection;
• Preparing for emerging patent challenges under the new post grant review system;
• Accounting for changing evidentiary requirements and procedures for inter partes review;
• Examining the potential ramifications of patent reform on Hatch Waxman litigation and the brand/generic wars;
• Audience Q&A open forum for discussion on the new litigation provisions and the impact on life sciences companies;
• Specific considerations for universities, non-profit institutions and micro-entities; and
• Analyzing the potential impact of the "miscellaneous provisions" on life sciences companies.

In addition, a pre-conference workshop entitled "Patent Reform 101: Overview of the Fundamental Provisions in the America Invents Act" will be offered from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on January 30, 2012.

A program for this conference, including an agenda and detailed descriptions of conference sessions can be obtained here.  The registration fee for the conference is $2,195.  Patent Docs readers who reference the discount code "PD 200" will receive $200 off the current price tier when registering.  Those interested in registering for the conference can do so here, by calling 1-888-224-2480, or by faxing a registration form to 1-877-927-1563.

Patent Docs is a media partner of the Patent Reform for Life Sciences Companies conference.