In mid-April, our firm organized a workshop focusing on how to respond to the adjustments in European and American Patent Laws. Senior professionals were invited to share their experience and skills on this topic.

On April 12th, European patent attorney Mr. Richard Oldroyd came to our workshop and gave his speech on effectively overcoming inventive step objections before the European Patent Office. In order for the listeners to fully comprehend the problem and solution approach, vivid examples were made to explain the relevant Articles and Rules of the European Patent Convention. At the end of the seminar, Mr. Oldroyd also shares his views on similarities and differences between the SIPO and EPO approaches on this matter.

As the follow-up event, a symposium discussion about patent validity procedures in Europe was hold. Valuable suggestions given on practical level about voluntary amendment and response to Office Actions enlightened the attendees of our firm. Numerous questions about actual operation on particular cases were raised and the lively discussion went on for over an hour after his presentation.

US patent attorney was also invited to join this event and talked about practical responses to the patent reform in US. It has helped our colleagues get the general guidelines for acting under America Invents Act and to understand it from the view of foreign attorneys.

The whole event was an enormous success with most of our associates attending all three seminars, they all expressed that the workshop was very helpful and appreciated the opportunity of learning and communication.