October 2007

2 day workshop on Designing around Chemical and Pharmaceutical Patents

In a competitive market, the value of a patent to its inventor often increases when the difficulty in designing around the patent increases. However, patents as techno-legal documents provide a public library of inventions, and are a resource for constant improvement to technology. It is, therefore, important that inventors referring to such literature are careful that their new inventions do not infringe existing patents.

This workshop considered various ways to go about designing around an existing patent; issues relating to claim construction under Markman, literal infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Festo, how patent applicants can anticipate design around strategies, etc. were also covered.

The expert faculty members were Dr. Thomas Pontani, founding member, Mr. Martin Pavane and Dr. Kent Cheng, all from the reputed law firm of Cohen Pontani Lieberman and Pavane LLP of U.S.A.

September 2007

2 Day Workshop on U.S Patent Prosecution
The workshop provided an in-depth and detailed analysis of the U.S. Patent Prosecution process, and enabled participants to become familiar with the statues, regulations, practice, and customs that guide this prosecution process. Expert faculty from Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth conducted highly interactive sessions where cases were discussed and individual questions addressed.

August 2007

2 day workshop on Pharmaceutical Claim Drafting
This workshop designed for pharma professionals focused on improving patent claim drafting and amendment writing skills. The faculty, Dr. Marcus Engelhard of Boehmert & Boehmert and Mr. S. Majumdar of S. Majumdar & Company, laid the grounding by speaking on general patentability requirements and Section 3d of the Indian Patent Act first. Thereafter, participants were made to actually draft out patent applications. This hands-on approach was followed for more than 75 percent of the workshop time, and areas included the written description, enablement and best mode requirements, advanced strategies for drafting claims directed to pharmaceutical formulations, as well as claim strategies for avoiding disclaimer of subject matter.

July 21, 2007

A Convocation was held for the successful participants of the Post Graduate Diploma in Patent Management – 2006 programme. Faculty Dr. Prabuddha Ganguly and Mr. Himanshu Kane gave away the Diplomas, the Most Promising Student and the Best Dissertation Awards.

June 2007

Two day Seminar on Polymorphism and Crystallization
 In response to demand from alumni / industry, AIPS organized the subject seminar wherein expert faculty from academia and the industry took participants through sessions on the basics of crystal structure, factors leading to polymorphism, methods to characterize a polymorphic form, etc. and also on the patenting aspects of polymorphs, strategy for defense against potential litigation, etc.

May 2007

A one day Seminar on U.S. Patent Prosecution was held on May 9, 2007.
The Speaker, Ms Gabriela Coman, is an Associate at a leading law firm in the U.S. and after giving an overview of the USPTO, focused on issues relating to Claim Drafting, the U.S. Patent Application procedures etc. The sessions were interactive, and the faculty shared insights gained from her many years of prosecuting experience.

April 2007

3 day workshop on CTD and e CTD Formats
Expert faculty from Dr. Reddys Laboratories and Infotehna took participants through sessions on how to comply with the policies, governing statutes and regulations, and understand the technicalities used in the preparation and filing of drug submission in the e-CTD format established by the International Conference on Harmonization

January 2007

4 day Workshop on Drafting Non-Infringing, Freedom to Operate and Validity Opinions
The workshop helped participants in understanding the various issues involved in reaching a sound and knowledgeable non-infringing opinion. The expert faculty took the participants through various in-depth sessions spread over 4 days, providing both practical and tactical advice from the perspective of in-house as well as outside counsel on the issues to be considered and the strategies to be adopted. Both Indian and International perspectives vis a vis infringement analysis were covered.

Flexi Post Graduate Diploma in Patent Management
Commencement of the one-year, part time programme designed to provide a specialization in Patents. Both the theory and practice elements are addressed, and this in-depth course offers an excellent platform for those wanting to master the complex field of patents.

Online Guide for the Patent Agent Examination
A Distance-learning programme, this online guide will take participants through the Indian Patent Act.

October 2006

Weekend workshop on Patent Strategy and Management
The workshop dealt with the Patent strategy to be adopted in the context of various practical issues facing executives having to manage patents in an "in house" situation. The issues relating to Patent Portfolio Management Systems, third party issues, budgeting, searching, collecting innovations, financials, managing litigation matters etc were addressed. The faculty Dr. Win Eyles, Founder and MD of NetsPat U.K. , and Mr. Adam Wylie also conducted various exercises devised specifically to provide hands on experience on a patent management software, using some dummy data and exercises

Contact sessions for Patent Agent Examination
The sessions are designed to provide a clear understanding of the Patent Act and filing procedures, and an understanding of the principles underlying claim drafting involved in patent specifications.

September 2006

Moot Court
Participants of the PGD in Patent Management were once again tested in their knowledge of Patent law and strategy. Teams were required to both defend and prosecute cases given to them, and make their presentation to the Judge. This event is an integral feature of the course, intended to provide the participants with a first hand experience of the legal intricacies that they must be aware of when working in IP / Patent cells.

6 day Workshop on Patent Specification Drafting

A highly interactive programme with faculty Bill Lloyd spending 5 days to develop skills in the 'art and craft' of patent drafting. A firm grounding in the nature and function of patent claims, including novelty and infringement, was provided. Working first in groups and then individually, the participants worked on multiple exercises of drafting of actual patent claims, such that hands-on learning and expertise was generated. Since the majority of the participants were from the pharmaceutical field, one day of the workshop was devoted exclusively to pharma patenting.

July 2006

Opposition Proceedings for the participants of the PGD in Patent Management 2006 programme. 'Opponent' and 'Applicant' teams were given hypothetical cases, and had to argue the same in terms of the Indian Patent Act, in the presence of a 'Controller'. A real life "Opposition hearing in the Patent Office" like situation was thus simulated, providing the participants with crucial insight into this critical aspect of Patent Management. Four teams participated in the competition this year, and each was required to furnish related Search reports and other documentation in support of arguments. The 'Controller' for the event was Mr. N.K.Garg, Asst Controller, Patent Office Mumbai.

May 2006

Commencement of the Certificate in Intellectual Property Management--Workshop Series. The following workshops are included in the Series.

1) Workshop on Trademarks and Geographical Indications
2) Workshop on Copyright Fundamentals and Practice
3) Workshop on Patent Fundamentals and Practice
4) Workshop on Industrial Design, Trade Secrets

Executives from a cross-section of the industry, students and academicians participated in the workshops. The faculty comprised experts with requisite industry related experience and skills.

April 2006

5 day Certificate Course on International Drug Regulatory Affairs.
A niche skills programme to provide a practical insight into the international regulatory framework, with the participants learning and assimilating from the experts. Leading Regulatory officials from the industry formed the faculty panel.

February 2006

5 day Workshop on Patent Fundamentals and Practice.
An interactive training programme specifically designed for executives whose scope of work calls for a broad working knowledge of patents. The sessions included individual and group assignments to facilitate learning.
Invited faculty members included Mr. H. Subramaniam, Mr. G. Natraj, Dr. Pradeep Paranjpe, Dr. Mangala Venkatramani, Mr. Adarsh Nigam and Mr. M.A.Jose.

January 2006

Commencement of one year weekend Post Graduate Diploma in Patent Management. The inaugural session was taken by Dr. Prabhudda Ganguli, a leading IP consultant and expert. The year long programme is expected to impart required skills to the participants in all aspects relating to Patents.