The Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) will host a discussion on the important current challenges facing the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). The discussion will take place on October 28, 2008 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, Washington, DC, 20062, Herman Lay Room.

A draft of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsored "Report to the incoming Administration on High-Priority Changes in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office," a comprehensive examination of meaningful improvements that should be implemented to create a more effective, efficient, and high-quality Patent and Trademark Office, will be discussed.

Key Panelists include:

• The Honorable Todd Dickinson, Former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Clinton Administration; Executive Director of the American Intellectual Property Law Association
• The Honorable Gerald J. Mossinghoff, Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Reagan Administration; Senior Counsel, Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier and Neustadt, PC
• Dana Colarulli, Director, Government Relations, Intellectual Property Owners Association
• Nicholas P. Godici, Executive Director, Birch Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP
• Brad Huther, Senior Director, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Esther Kepplinger, Director, Patent Operations, Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
• Michael K. Kirk, former Executive Director, American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Stephen G. Kunin, Partner, Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, PC
• Herb Wamsley, Executive Director, Intellectual Property Owners Association
• Charles E. Van Horn, Partner, Finnegan Henderson Garrett & Dunner

For more information, please contact by: gipc@uschamber.com.