Dear Colleague:

The IIPS has the pleasure of presenting a panel discussion entitled “Current Trends in Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution and WIPO's Arbitration and Mediation Rules,” be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at WIPO Headquarters, 25th floor of 2 U.N. Plaza (north side of 44th Street, slightly west of 1st Avenue), from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.   A reception will follow the event.  The presentation will include discussion regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) practices, including WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Rules, recommendations regarding strategies for pursuing various forms of ADR, and the extensive services provided by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.  The members of the panel will include:

•           Ignacio de Castro, Deputy Director, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.   Mr. de Castro is a Spanish lawyer as well as an English solicitor who holds a masters degree from King's College London.  Before joining WIPO in 2002, he practiced with law firms Baker & McKenzie, London and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London in the areas of international arbitration and litigation. 

•           Edward V. Filardi, Co-Head of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Intellectual Property Technology Group.  Mr. Filardi is a registered U.S. patent attorney with extensive experience in patent, trade secret, unfair competition, and anti-trust matters, focusing on litigation and dispute resolution.  Mr. Filardi has been an arbitrator and a court-appointed neutral evaluator in intellectual property rights infringement matters, including arbitrations administered by WIPO.

•           James Hosking, Partner of Clifford Chance, LLP.   Mr. Hosking is an international arbitration specialist based in New York.  He has represented multinational clients in international arbitration proceedings under the auspices of all the major arbitral institutions, including WIPO.  His practice also encompasses investment treaty claims, including those touching on disputes involving intellectual property rights.

•           David Leichtman, Partner of Lovells, LLP.   Mr. Leichtman’s practice focuses on patent litigation as well as the litigation of other intellectual property and commercial matters.  He has handled all aspects of intellectual property and complex commercial matters from inception to trial.   Also, Mr. Leichtman has acted in complex international patent arbitrations.

The fee for non-members is $35.  Admission for law school students is $10.  The nominal $60 annual membership dues fee may be enclosed with the membership application.  Membership entitles you to attend other regular meetings during the September 2008 - September 2009 year at no charge.  If you would like to reserve your space and/or pay at the door, or if you have any questions about this program, please contact Frederick J. Dorchak at fdorchak@collardroe.com.

As with IIPS programs in general, NY CLE credit will be offered.  This seminar will provide two nontransitional CLE credits.  Mail the Membership Form with annual dues, or meeting payment by October 28, to Harris Wolin at Myers Wolin, LLC, 100 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ  07960.

We look forward to seeing you in November and at other upcoming events and, as in the past, invite comments and suggestions for programs that might be of interest to you.

Sincerely,

Frederick J. Dorchak

IIPS President