NAPP eNews™/September/ 2022

NAPP's MONTHLY MEMBER NEWS - SEPTEMBER 2022

NAPP President's Message

Since the last Annual Meeting and Conference (AMC), NAPP has returned to its core work of providing educational programming and a collective voice in the larger IP community. The Professional Development Committee hosted an educational webinar on file history estoppel. And NAPP shared its views on the feasibility of establishing a small claims patent court in the Letter to the Administrative Conference of the US.

NAPP  plans even more work and activities in the coming months. The Advocacy Committee will review legislative proposals to amend 35 USC sec. 101. The Communications Committee will refresh NAPP's social media content. And the Membership Committee will set membership goals and onboard new members to the NAPP organization.

As always, NAPP Committees seek new members of any experience to help deliver increased programs so patent practitioners can flourish and achieve the highest levels of competence and professionalism in their practice. To join a committee, contact [email protected].

Thanks. Chris.




Christopher M. Turoski
President, National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP)


AMC 2023 PLANNING COMMITTEE

NAPP’s AMC Planning Committee could you use your assistance with program development and ideas for social activities for the 2023 conference in Old Town Alexandria, VA. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Karen Miles ([email protected]). Monthly commitment is typically 1 - 2 hours dedicated to a planning call and a few follow up communications to potential speakers or sponsors.


COLORADO MEETUP

The Colorado local meetup host monthly meetings every 3rd Wednesday from 7 - 8 PM MT. The next meeting is scheduled Wednesday, September 21 and the topic is “Inventorship”.

Meeting Details:
Join: https://meet.google.com/dhw-jjkr-sdk
US) +1 929-260-4438
PIN: 135024863#


NAPP FORUM 

Have you signed into the NAPP Forum lately? Checkout the current hot topics:

The Forum is a great online resource and includes a very interactive member community. This is a member benefit and requires different login credentials than your NAPP member information. Please contact the NAPP office at [email protected] if you are having trouble accessing the site.


MEET A NAPP MEMBER

The Meet A Member spotlight is a monthly showcase of our amazing members and their stories! This month we introduce new member Kirby Drake.  Would you like to be highlighted or have someone to suggest for a member spotlight? Contact Karen Miles ([email protected])


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NAPP's GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The two members of NAPP’s Governance Committee are working to review/update NAPP’s existing policies (e.g., Best Practices for Committees) and to update the Board Manual. Once those formalities are complete, the committee intends to develop ideas for increasing member participation and leadership. If you believe NAPP can become THE organization of choice for patent practitioners, we want you to join our committee to help us make it happen! Please contact Dan Krueger or Karen Miles ([email protected]). 


MEMBER PATENT AGENT SURVEY COMING SOON!

NAPP is currently working with a few solo practice or small practice patent agents to create a survey to understand what the needs are for our patent agent members for professional liability insurance. As we understand, there are only a couple national professional liability insurance companies offering malpractice insurance to patent agents. We are looking for feedback on whether agents need more options, and if the companies meet all our patent agent members’ needs? The survey will be sent in the coming weeks. We would appreciate your responses to the survey to assist NAPP with determining important factors to improve member benefits and programs.


BEST PRACTICE RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM

We are in the process of revamping and relaunching this program, including these possible benefits (i) advertising “Compliant with NAPP Best Practices Program”, (ii) better access to professional liability insurance, (iii) a professional liability insurance discount, and (iv) whatever other “benefits” we may be able to package here.  Got some time?  Please join us to help develop the framework for what the program should look like, under the guidance of one of our professional liability insurance company members and other NAPP practitioner members. If interested, please contact Mike Bendel or Karen Miles ([email protected]).


PROGRAM COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Are you looking for ways to become more involved with NAPP? The Programs Committee is actively encouraging members to volunteer to support NAPP’s goals of improving member programs. This is a great way to provide your guidance and input to develop and review options for member benefits that add value to NAPP membership, as well as supporting our current plan of action and any special projects. If interested, please contact Mike Bendel or Karen Miles ([email protected]).


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR SERIES

NAPP welcomes Anne Fahrni who was recently named Chair, Professional Development Committee at the 2022 AMC in Denver!  Anne and the Professional Development Committee quickly hit the ground running with the recent free live webinar, “Implications of File History Estoppel During Litigation” presented by Niky Bagley on September 16th. The committee plans to provide future webinars on a more frequent basis. If you are interested in hearing or presenting on a specific topic, please contact Anne Fahrni or Karen Miles ([email protected]).


NAPP's BLOG

NAPP's Professional Development Committee is posting monthly blog articles containing longer discussions of interesting patent practice topics relevant to your practice, which you can find on the napp.org website under "Blog". The PDC is always soliciting new articles, so if you've recently done a deep dive on a patent practice issue, share your expertise with your fellow members! You'll gain name recognition, and we'll even sweeten the deal with an Amazon gift card! Send your submissions to the NAPP Office at [email protected]