MEMBERSHIP
IP SpringPosium 2023 ___________________________________________________________
KARA A . SPECHT Finnegan kara . specht @ finnegan . com
O n April 28-29 , 2023 , the Atlanta Bar IP Section and Georgia IP Alliance ( GIPA ) hosted the 19th Annual IP SpringPosium at Lanier Islands Resort , Legacy Lodge . Hosted each spring , the IP SpringPosium is an intellectual property CLE retreat designed to provide in-house and junior lawyers , as well as senior private-practice attorneys and Intellectual Property ( IP ) service providers , with a convenient and affordable educational and networking opportunity . The CLE programming offers presentations from seasoned professionals on a variety of topics and issues impacting the IP industry .
This year ’ s programming featured discussions on hot topics in IP , including AI , NFTs , Web 3 , and the Metaverse , patent subject matter eligibility , willful infringement , and copyright fair use , among many others :
“ Everything , Everywhere , All at Once : Trademark and Copyright Law Updates on AI , NFT ’ s and the Metaverse .” Moderator : Michael D . Hobbs , Jr . ( Troutman Pepper ); with speakers Amanda Groover Hyland , ( Taylor English ); Brenton E . Hund ( Warner Media ); and Michael B . Landau ( Georgia State University , College of Law ).
“ Updates on Patent Subject Matter Eligibility .” Moderator : Paul Tanpitukpongse ( Meunier Carlin & Curfman ); with speakers R . Maxwell Mauldin ( Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP ); and Donald M . Prather , Ph . D . ( Munier Carlin & Curfman ).
“ Professionalism : Working with Outside Counsel .” Moderator : Gordon Wright ( Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunne , LLP ); with speakers David Eramian ( Catalyze Advisors ); Elizabeth Lester ( Equifax ); and Matthew Nesbitt ( The Home Depot ).
“ Fair Use - Is it Really Fair ?” Moderator : Robin L . Gentry ( Cohan Law Group ); with speaker Gia Compton ( GBC Solutions Group ). “ Damages and Willful Infringement .” Moderator : Preston H . Heard ( Womble Bond Dickinson ( US ) LLP ); with speakers
Steve R . Risley ( Kent & Risley LLC ) and Dr . Alan White ( Ballard Spahr LLP ).
“ IP Impacts of Web3 .” Moderator : Jeffrey D . Blake ( Merchant & Gould PC ) and speaker Murrell W . Blackburn ( Southwire Company LLC ).
The Atlanta Bar IP Section was honored to welcome keynote speaker Eastern Regional Outreach Director Elizabeth Dougherty ( U . S . Patent and Trademark Office ), for a fireside chat led by Jennifer Miller ( Scout Motors Inc .). As the Eastern Regional Outreach Director for the USPTO , Dougherty carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO and is responsible for leading the USPTO ' s East Coast stakeholder engagement . Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community , Dougherty ensures the USPTO ' s initiatives and programs are tailored to the region ' s unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders . Dougherty offered the conference insight on the latest Office initiatives , including the opening of a Southeast Regional Office and diversity at the USPTO .
Following the CLE programming , attendees enjoyed networking with a view during a cocktail reception boat cruise on Lake Lanier followed by a lakeside dinner . These social events are the perfect opportunity to bring old colleagues and new friends together and featured a fantastic meal with talks from both the hosting organizations and sponsors .
Additionally , each year , GIPA awards an in-house counsel group the prestigious “ Most Innovative Corporate IP Law Department Award .” Jeffrey D . Blake ( Merchant & Gould PC ) presented the award this year to Murrell W . Blackburn ( Southwire Company LLC ). www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 33