AIPLA/USPTO Women Entrepreneur Mentoring Program
March 13 to May 9, 2024
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The USPTO and AIPLA partnered to provide mentorship to AIPLA members and participants of the USPTO's Empowering Women's Entrepreneurship - a community-focused, collaborative, and creative initiative to encourage and empower more women founders across America. The program included three webinars and one concluding networking event, on March 13, March 20, April 11, and May 8, focusing on Intellectual Property law topics, advice from AIPLA's women entrepreneurs, and the opportunity to participate in a mentoring group of women with varying skills and experiences.
Miss a session? View the recordings here:
Webinar 1 Recording: Patents and Trade Secrets
Webinar 1 Resources: IP_Checklist_for_Startups
Webinar 2 Recording: Copyright/Trademark
Webinar 2 Resources: Presentation Slides
Webinar 3 Recording: Women Tell All
Mentoring Clusters
AIPLA is organizing mentoring clusters to offer mentorship to mentees identified through the USPTO’s Women Entrepreneur Initiative (a cluster is a group of 3-4 people, including both mentors and mentees).Apply here if you’d like to participate as a mentor.
Speakers
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Karpinia, Randi L.
Sagacity Legal, PLLC | Founder
Randi Karpinia, founder of Sagacity Legal PLLC, helps small business and entrepreneurs minimize their legal risks. With over twenty years of experience, Ms. Karpinia is a recognized expert in all aspects of business legal management with a focus on intellectual property, legal operations, and online legal protection. Ms. Karpinia’s credentials include a B.E.E, with honors, from Georgia Institute of Technology; a M.E.E. from Florida Atlantic University; and a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Karpinia is admitted to practice law in Florida and before the USPTO and is a Florida Bar Board Certified Intellectual Property Lawyer. -
Anderson, Maria
Knobbe Martens | Partner
Ms. Anderson joined the firm as a partner in the Seattle office in January 2008. Ms. Anderson has extensive experience in comprehensive, strategic client counseling in all aspects of intellectual property. She has been very active in the prosecution of patent applications in the computer science and ecommerce fields since 1993. -
Herman, Michele
JusTech Law, PLLC | Founder
Michele’s practice at JusTech Law focuses exclusively on legal and business issues affecting technology development and commercialization such as technology standards, open source software, and intellectual property transactions. -
Sullivan, Kelu
Kelly IP, LLP | Of Counsel
Kelu Sullivan is a skilled trademark and copyright lawyer who focuses on providing practical and realistic advice to help clients make strategic decisions in sync with their business goals. -
Lord, Miriam
US Copyright Office | Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education
Miriam Lord is the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education for the United States Copyright Office. Lord oversees the Office of Public Information and Education (PIE), which provides authoritative information about copyright law to the public, implements the Office’s communications plan, publishes comprehensive written and audiovisual materials, develops education and outreach programs and strategic collaborations, and responds to public inquiries about Office policies and practices. She is an expert copyright attorney and one of four legal advisors to the Register of Copyrights. -
Bald, Stephanie
Kelly IP | Partner
Stephanie Bald focuses her practice on trademark litigation, disputes, and strategic counseling. She represents clients in federal courts across the country and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). She also handles domain name disputes under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and has significant experience managing global trademark portfolios and advising clients on the selection, use, registration, enforcement, and licensing of trademarks.
News
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AIPLA Comments on the OECD's Working Party on Countering Illicit Trade (WP-CIT) Draft Voluntary Guidelines
August 27, 2025
Arlington, VA. August 25, 2025 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the USPTO on the OECD’s Draft Voluntary Guidelines for Countering Illicit Trade in Counterfeit Goods on Online Marketplaces, highlighting best practices for governments, online marketplace operators, and rights holders. -
Letter of Support - S. 2667 / H.R. 4930 - Customs Info Sharing Authority
August 13, 2025
Arlington, VA. August 13, 2025-The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted a joint letter with a coalition of organizations representing thousands of American businesses, including many leading global brands, to Senators Grassley, Hassan, and Representatives Moore, and Schneider expressing strong support for S. 2677 / H.R. 4930. The letter highlights the growing threat of counterfeit and pirated goods entering U.S. borders, urges enhanced cooperation between public and private sectors, and commends the legislation for clarifying U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s authority to share information and expand collaboration with key stakeholders to improve intellectual property enforcement. -
AIPLA Comments on the UPC Mediation and Arbitration Centre’s Draft Mediation Rules
July 22, 2025
Arlington, VA. July 21, 2025 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the UPC Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) regarding its proposed Mediation Rules. -
AIPLA Submits Letter to US Senate Judiciary Committee on Squires Nomination to the USPTO
June 16, 2025
Arlington, VA. June 11, 2025 –The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted a letter in response to the nomination of John A. Squires as Director of the United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”). In view of his impressive background, AIPLA believes Mr. Squires is fully capable of undertaking this important role and appreciates the Senate Judiciary Committee giving this nominee prompt consideration. -
AIPLA Comments on Draft NMPA Measures
June 9, 2025
Arlington, VA. May 17, 2025 –The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments in response to the National Medical Products Administration’s (NMPA) draft measures on the protection of drug trial data in China.