2013-01-23: Dr. Michael Ram, Esq. on Major Changes to US Patent Law

The Executive Committee of SCALACS is proposing modifications to the Section’s bylaws, which can be viewed on the Section’s website at https://scalacs.org. It is anticipated that a vote will be taken at this January meeting to adopt these modified bylaws. If you have any questions or need copies of the changes that are being proposed, please contact Nancy Paradiso at (310) 327-1216 or office@scalacs.org.

Abstract: In September 2011 Congress voted in to law the America Invents Act (AIA). AIA significantly changes several major aspect of the US Patent Law. Some changes became effective immediately on passage, other changes became effective on Sept 16, 2012 and the remainder of the changes go into effect on March 16, 2013. A significant change is that US patents no longer go to the first to invent. Patents now go to “the first inventor to file”. This change has numerous implications for inventors and their ability to protect their inventions, Also, patent applications, in certain situations, may list employers as applicants in place of their employees. Some of the major changes in the US patent law and their impact on inventors and employers will be discussed.

Biography: Dr. Michael Ram, DSc, Esq. is Senior Counsel with the firm of Koppel, Patrick, Heybl & Philpott , a law firm specializing in Intellectual Property matters. Dr. Ram obtained his law degree from Seton Hall Law School in New Jersey and has been admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and California and before the US Patent and Trademark Office. He has been handling patent, trademark and copyright matters since 1972 as both in-house counsel and a partner in patent law firms. His expertise in handling patent issues extends World Wide.

Dr. Ram received his BS Degree in Chem. Engr. from Lafayette College and a Ch.E. Master and Doctorate from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Corporate positions include Senior Research Engineer with Celanese Corporation, Patent Counsel and Director of Technical Liaison with CR Bard, VP R&D with Starr Surgical and General Counsel with Intermedics Intraocular and Pharmacia Ophthalmics.

Besides being a patent attorney with clients around the World, Dr. Ram is also an inventor on over 20 US patents and several foreign patents covering carbon fibers and their production and use in composites, reverse osmosis and kidney dialysis membranes and various medical devices. Academic activity includes numerous presentations regarding licensing and transferring rights in intellectual property and presenting a course as part of UC Berkley Extension Program entitled, Legal Aspects of Intellectual Property Protection and Transfer.

Reservations: There is a choice of Coq au Vin (chicken with wine sauce) or Beef Bourguignon for dinner. The cost of the dinner is $31 per person including tax, tip, and wine with dinner; cash or check at the door. Please call Nancy Paradiso in the Section Office at 310 327-1216 or email office@scalacs.org by Monday, January 21, 2013 for reservations.

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