The Chair's Comments
Article Date: Thursday, March 08, 2012
Written By: David Sar
Our section has so much going on. I encourage everyone to participate, and I suspect you will find it rewarding.
Here is a brief recap of some of the activities the section has done and will do.
On Oct. 12, 2011, the section joined with the Triangle Intellectual Property Law Association to sponsor a CLE concerning trademarks and the Madrid Protocol. Former Trademark Commissioner Lynn Beresford spoke distinctively, descriptively and generically.
In the Fall, the section, through the Patent Committee now chaired by Lance Lawson and Dave Waters, worked with the Governor’s office as part of an effort to persuade the federal government to locate one of the new satellite patent offices right here in North Carolina. The Committee prepared a dynamic and persuasive letter which both Martin Brinkley, NCBA President, and I signed. Keep your fingers crossed.
In November, the section’s liaison to the EPO-US Bar Council, Jack Hicks, reported on its Fall meeting. New and non-obvious statistical and strategic information was provided.
You may have joined us in November at the Tri-City Networking Lunch.
On Jan. 19, 2012, the section jointly put on a CLE with the Sports & Entertainment Law Section. Counsel for the Panthers, NASCAR, and the Hurricanes held their own against the copyright and other IP speakers. Scores were not recorded, although the scores of the music industry presenters were particularly lyrical.
On Feb. 21, 2012, the Trademark/Copyright/Trade Secrets Committee stepped up and held a telephonic roundtable concerning the “RedSoles” Trademark case.
Watch your emails for notices about the following upcoming events.
The EE/Computer Software and Patent Committees hope to hold an event in next several weeks.
The section’s CLE and Annual Meeting will be on March 23, 2012 at the Bar Center in Cary. And, the Laws of Science event is making a grand comeback on March 29, 2012 at the NC Biotechnology Center.
With such good events and activities on the horizon, I hope you will get involved as you are able. •
NCBA Intellectual Property Law Section 2011 Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award
The Intellectual Property Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association is seeking nominations for its 2011 Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award. This award is intended to foster and recognize the outstanding pro bono efforts undertaken by IP Section members during the year. Please take a few moments to nominate yourself or another IP Section member (including law firms and other organizations such as in-house legal departments) and summarize the qualifying pro bono activities performed by the candidate during the past year. Thank you in advance for your nominations and for your encouragement of the pro bono efforts of the IP Section’s members.
The Awards will be presented on March 23, 2012 at the Section Annual Meeting at the NC Bar Center.
Application deadline is March 15, 2012. For Information and an application go to: http://intellectualpropertylaw.ncbar.org/media/2280597/outstandingachievementprobonoaward.pdf
David Sar is a partner specializing in intellectual property with Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP.
Views and opinions expressed in articles published herein are the authors' only and are not to be attributed to this newsletter, the section, or the NCBA unless expressly stated. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all citations and quotations.