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Meeting Minutes

October 4, 2001
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Secretary's Report
  3. 3. Treasurer's Report
  4. 4. Committee Assignments
    1. a. Patent
    2. b. Trademark
    3. c. Copyright
    4. d. Student Liaison
    5. e. Spring Seminar
    6. f. Summer Workshop
    7. g. Annual Meeting
  5. 5. Spring Seminar
    1. a. Speakers
    2. b. Topics
  6. 6. Summer Workshop
  7. 7. Newsletter
  8. 8. Website
  9. 9. Old Business
  10. 10. New Business
Present:
    Bunting, Collins, Dani, Hoffman, Kelley, Severance, Slenzak, Van Winkle, Williams
Absent:
    Baldwin, Drake, Underwood
1. Introduction
    The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:40am by President Dani. Attending members introduced themselves, and Mr. Dani introduced absent members.
2. Secretary's Report
    There was no Secretary's report.
3. Treasurer's Report
    Mr. Dani reiterated that the objective of the IPLS is not to make money, but to provide a service to the members. Along those lines, it was indicated that over $40, 000 was spent on IPLS sponsored seminars last year. Mr. Dani challenged the Council to present ideas for using the Section's money for the benefit of the members. A discussion ensued on electronic filing of patent applications and it was suggested that an Electronic Filing "SWAT" team be formed for assistance to members. The team would include IT professionals and others hired by the Section to assist with electronic filing. It was also suggested that a PTO led electronic patent filing "hands on" seminar be sponsored. The PTO has apparently held such a seminar in Wisconsin, with Day 1 focusing on installing the necessary software, and Day 2 focused on electronic filing. Several questions were raised:

    1. a. Where is the PTO on electronic filing?
    2. b. When would the seminar(s) be held?
    3. c. How should the disparity between large and small entities be handled?
    4. d. How would technical issues be handled?

    Further discussion was held on the state of electronic filing. It was concluded that Ms. Slenzak would prepare a questionnaire for distribution to IPLS members via the listserve to determine membership interest in a seminar on the topic.
4. Committee Assignments
    Mr. Dani proposed setting up chairs for various subcommittees, and the following accepted assignments:

      Patents – Ms. Collins
      Trademarks – Mr. Hoffman
      Copyrights – Mr. Kelley
      Student Liaison – Ms. Bunting

    Further discussion ensued regarding IPLS sponsorship of a moot court team from the state to the Giles S. Rich Moot Court competition. Ms. Severance will further investigate the moot court competition, develop a plan, and present it at the November meeting.
5. IPLI
    At this point in the meeting, Mr. Dani asked guest Don Harrington to address the Council regarding the Intellectual Property Law Institute's (IPLI's) request for a donation to cover expenses for the prior year. Mr. Harrington explained the origin of IPLI in the 1980s to provide classes on various IP topics not typically taught at law schools due to inadequate student interest. As a result, he and others founded IPLI, and the IPLS has made contributions over the years. He indicated that while law schools today teach some survey courses on IP, in addition to some specialty courses, there is no consistent offering of a broad range of IP courses. After some discussion among the Council members, Ms. Slenzak made a motion, seconded by Ms. Collins, and amended by Ms. Severance, to fund $2000 of the IPLI deficit for the immediate past year. Mr. Dani reiterated that the motion was only for the past year's deficit, and that continuing funding from the IPLS would require further Council consideration, and that IPLI should not have raised expectations of further funding as it will be budget dependent. Motion passed. Mr. Kelley asked if the IPLI materials could be made available to IPLS members, and Mr. Harrington indicated that he would look into this and respond back. This is an open item. Ms. Slenzak suggested that the IPLS consider matching member contributions to IPLI. Ms. Bunting indicated that she will contact law schools regarding their interest in IPLI, how well it is operated, and the necessity of additional IP course offerings.
6. Spring Seminar
    Discussion on Council members to lead the Spring Seminar resulted in Mr. Underwood and Mr. VanWinkle being nominated to handle this event. Ms. Severance suggested partnering with ICLE, since there is a substantial amount of work required to plan and manage this event, and ICLE does a great job with the Summer workshop. Topics suggested were Restriction practice and Festo.
7. Summer Workshop
    Mr. Williams will handle the Summer Workshop with the assistance of Ms. Collins and ICLE. It was agreed among the members present that the Patent, Trademark, and Copyright speakers from the 2001 Workshop be invited back.
8. Annual Meeting
    Mr. Baldwin was suggested as chair for the 2002 Annual Meeting, with assistance from Mr. Kelley. Possible topics include trade secrets, confidentiality, and non-compete agreements.
9. Newsletter
    Ms. Severance will continue as the IPLS Newsletter editor. Past President Sims has sent some information for possible inclusion in the newsletter. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform members of upcoming events, and it was concluded that mailing a paper copy of the newsletter should continue since some IPLS members do not have, or use, e-mail. Two newsletters were sent last year. It was suggested we share our membership list with other State Bar associations, IP organizations, and IP news sources, such as MIPLA, Toledo Patent Law Association, and IP Today magazine, among others.
10. Website
    Mr. Kelley is to maintain the IPLS website (State Bar contact – Nancy Taylor). Seminar and Workshop papers are to be posted on the website, in addition to IPLS and Council member contact information.
11. Old Business
    No old business was discussed
12. New Business
    Ms. Collins suggested having Bench/IP Bar luncheons that would be structured to assist the Bench in understanding IP issues. It was also suggested that surveys of the Bench and IP Bar be taken. Some discussion was held, and it was agreed to take up this topic at the next meeting.

    Motion by Ms. Slenzak to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Severance. Motion passed.