The Practising Law Institute (PLI) is gearing up for its fifth annual Patenting Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies 2023 conference scheduled for Monday, December 4, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. This eagerly awaited event, both in-person and virtual, promises valuable insights into the evolving world of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). Interested participants can register through the provided link.
Unraveling Applications – From Cryptocurrencies to Non-Fungible Tokens: Perspectives from Industry Experts
Esteemed Partner Jon Gordon, assuming the role of Chairperson for the event, will oversee discussions on three pivotal topics crucial to the industry. The conference aims to deliver comprehensive discussions on technical aspects, applications, and strategic patenting in the realm of DLT.
Crafting Effective Blockchain Patenting Strategies Aligned with Business Goals
Deciphering the Technical Landscape of Blockchains for Patent Practitioners
In the first session, attendees will delve into the technical intricacies of distributed ledger technologies. Through this panel, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the technical context surrounding DLT, including blockchains. The focus lies on enhancing patent drafting skills and distinguishing patentable inventions from existing art.
The session aims to enable participants to analyze DLT innovation within the framework of enabling technologies such as hashing, Merkle trees, and public-key cryptography. It seeks to equip participants to recognize patent-eligible subject matter, interpret technical disclosures for claim drafting, and distinguish genuine improvements to DLT from the mere application of existing technology in new contexts. Moreover, the discussion will explore approaches to ensuring integrity within DLT, including permissioned blockchains, proof-of-work, proof-of-stake, and other innovative techniques.
The goal is for participants to identify and assess the technical, business, and legal advantages and risks associated with DLT and its innovations.
Unraveling Applications – From Cryptocurrencies to Non-Fungible Tokens: Perspectives from Industry Experts
The second session will provide an in-depth review of common applications of DLT, offering participants a foundation for understanding and identifying innovations. This includes a focus on cryptocurrencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), smart contracts, and supply chain management.
Participants will gain insights into assessing cryptocurrencies and security tokens for potential IP, regulatory, and other issues. The discussion will facilitate a comparison of innovations in DLT with relevant prior art and an evaluation of privacy and security advantages and risks associated with various applications.
The overarching goal is to enhance participants’ ability to relate DLT applications to existing businesses and ecosystems, align them with legal strategies for IP protection, and navigate the complex landscape of applications, including emerging areas like NFTs.
Crafting Effective Blockchain Patenting Strategies Aligned with Business Goals
In the final session, the focus shifts to the strategic aspects of patenting in the DLT space. The presentation aims to illustrate the pivotal role of DLT and its IP protection in crafting effective business strategies. Attendees will explore the intricacies of drafting and prosecuting patent applications for DLT to maximize the chances of securing valid, enforceable, and valuable patents.
This session seeks to empower participants to evaluate IP strategies for DLT within diverse blockchain business models. Understanding the reliance of DLT applications on network effects is crucial, and the discussion will guide participants in crafting IP strategies that account for this reliance. Additionally, the session will delve into patent-eligibility considerations in the context of the ongoing application of Alice by the Federal Circuit.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into what is currently being filed at the USPTO, who the applicants are, and what is being allowed. The session concludes by providing practical guidance on effective drafting and prosecution strategies in the dynamic landscape of DLT patenting.
In conclusion, the Patenting Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies 2023 conference promises to be a comprehensive and insightful event, offering participants a deep dive into the technical, practical, and strategic aspects of patenting in the rapidly evolving DLT landscape.
