2021 PCT Seminar Web Series
July 12 to August 2, 2021
Location
Credits
This is a Non-CLE Event - Registration is closed for this event.
Registration
2021 Virtual Patent Cooperation Treaty Seminar
This live, multi-day webinar series offers a deeper “nuts and bolts” introduction to the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The program consists of eight (8) live online sessions featuring experienced practitioners, and representatives from the USPTO and WIPO, plus additional online resources and homework, and networking events that will help you learn about recent updates and frequently performed tasks, tools and resources, strategies, and best practices.
The program is focused primarily on the important PCT work carried out by paralegals, paralegal managers, and legal staff. Because attorneys are ultimately responsible for instructing staff and the work they perform, the Series welcomes and encourages attorney attendance. Session materials and discussions have proven to be helpful to all attendees, including attorneys, paralegals, patent agents, portfolio managers, and administrative assistants. IMPORTANT NOTE: AIPLA has a member category at a discounted rate for paralegals, docketing clerks, legal assistants, and technical advisors. Such professionals can join AIPLA and take advantage of the discounted member rate of $195.
Program Topics:
Week One - Live sessions on Monday, July 12
Overview of the PCT System
Priority Claiming Under the Paris Convention and the PCT
Incorporation by Reference, Restoration of the Right of Publicity, Reinstatement of Rights
ePCT Overview and Live Demo
Strategies: Effective use of ePCT
Week Two - Live sessions on Monday, July 19
Filing International Application under PCT
Strategies: Choosing a Receiving Office
Signature Requirements, Agents, Common Representatives, Withdrawals, and Recording Changes
Networking Session
Week Three - Live sessions on Monday, July 26
Amending an International Application
Strategies: Amending Under Art. 19 and Art. 34
Fixing Mistakes and Best Practices: International and US National Phase and US National Phase Applications
Entry Into the National Stage
Strategies: National Phase Entry Considerations
Week Four - Live sessions on Monday, August 2
PCT Regulations Changes, Updates, Near-Future Plans
International Work Sharing and Cooperative Programs
Closing Networking Session
Speakers
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Drabnis, Mary
Phelps Dunbar LLP | Attorney
Mary Drabnis is an attorney at Phelps Dunbar LLP. She has been drafting and filing patent applications on a variety of different subjects, primarily on chemical inventions, for more than 20 years. Mary worked as a technical consultant and then as a Patent Agent before attending law school. Ms. Drabnis received her J.D. from Louisiana State University. She earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University (New Brunswick) -
Bardini, Ann
WIPO | Senior Business Analyst
Ann Bardini, a national of the United Kingdom, is Senior Business Analyst at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) where she has worked since 1990. As Head of the PCT Functional Support Section, she was responsible for the specification of the business requirements, process re-engineering and deployment strategy for the International Bureau’s electronic processing system that led to a fully paperless environment for PCT Operations at WIPO. -
Guetlich, Mark
Global IP Group, PLLC | Founder
Mark Guetlich is founder of the Global IP Group, PLLC, in Seattle, Washington, functioning as a fractional General Counsel or Chief IP & Licensing Counsel for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that require tailored virtual legal teams, global legal counseling & conflict resolution, and portfolio strategies during acquisitions & bankruptcy. Mr. Guetlich is the former Secretary of the Board of Directors for the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and has served in government and industry positions including Senior Counsel for International Policy and Government Affairs at the USPTO; VP Managing Director of Patents at the SAP AG headquarters in Walldorf, Germany; and Director of International Patents and Licensing for Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. -
Neas, Michael
USPTO | Deputy Director of the International Patent Legal Administration
Michael Neas is the Deputy Director of the International Patent Legal Administration (formerly PCT Legal) at the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Mr. Neas’ staff provides training on the filing and prosecution of PCT and U.S. national stage applications to inventors, applicants, patent practitioners and paralegals. -
Reischle-Park, Matthias
WIPO | Deputy Director, PCT Legal Division
Matthias Reischle, a national of Germany, is Deputy Director of the PCT Legal Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Matthias holds a degree from the University of Constance, Germany (1993), and a LL.M in European Legal Studies from the College of Europe, Belgium (1994). After qualifying to practice law in Germany in 1996, he worked as a legal adviser for the International Labour Organization in Geneva. -
Malek, Mark
Widerman Malek | Managing Partner
Mark Malek focuses his practice on representing clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and counseling inventors and businesses on various intellectual property strategies. Mark enjoys working with his clients to understand their long term goals and tailoring their intellectual property strategies to help achieve those goals.
News
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AIPLA Comments on CNIPA Draft Measures for Prioritized Patent Examination
April 1, 2026
Arlington, VA. March 30, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) regarding the Draft Measures for the Administration of Prioritized Examination of Patents. -
AIPLA Files Amicus Brief in Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc
March 31, 2026
Arlington, VA. March 27, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court in Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc., No. 24-889. AIPLA urges the Court to affirm the Federal Circuit’s application of the established Iqbal/Twombly pleading standard and inducement law in reviewing Hikma’s motion to dismiss Amarin’s claim that Hikma’s conduct, in combination with its “skinny label,” induced infringement of Amarin’s patented treatment methods. -
Supreme Court Issues Unanimous Decision in Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment
March 25, 2026
On March 25, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment. The majority opinion limits contributory liability to situations where a party intended that its service be used for infringement, either by affirmatively inducing infringement or by selling a service tailored to infringement. A concurring opinion by Justice Sotomayor argues that the material contribution test should be retained, and that other forms of secondary liability can be found, which is consistent with the position asserted by AIPLA in its amicus brief filed on September 5, 2025. To read the opinion of the Court, please click here. -
AIPLA Comments on the Draft Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China
March 23, 2026
Arlington, VA. February 9, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress regarding the latest Draft Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China. AIPLA recognized the NPC’s efforts to streamline trademark procedures, strengthen protection, and address abusive and bad-faith filing practices. -
AIPLA Files Amicus Brief in USAA v. PNC Bank
March 3, 2026
Arlington, VA. March 2, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in USAA v. PNC Bank, N.A., No. 25-853, in support of USAA’s petition for certiorari, urging the Court to provide much-needed guidance to address the unpredictable and overly broad application of the judicial exceptions to patent-eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101, particularly the “abstract idea” exception.
