The IIPS is pleased to announce a very special holiday event.   We are honored to host a presentation by Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office David J. Kappos on December 2, 2009 at The Midtown Executive Club, 40 West 45th Street, New York, New York.  There will be a holiday reception from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Under Secretary Kappos’s presentation is expected to begin at approximately 7:00 p.m.   Under Secretary Kappos will address recent developments in the USPTO including efforts to develop and strengthen both domestic and international intellectual property protection.

Under Secretary Kappos assumed his position with the USPTO last summer after a distinguished career in the private sector where he most recently served as the vice president and assistant general counsel for intellectual property at IBM. Specifically, Kappos managed IBM’s patent and trademark portfolios – protecting and licensing intellectual property worldwide.   As the Director of the USPTO, Under Secretary Kappos advises the President, Secretary of Commerce on intellectual property matters.   Under Secretary Kappos served on the Board of Directors of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Owners’ Association, and the International Intellectual Property Society. He also has been the Vice President of the Intellectual Property Owners’ Association. He has held various leadership positions in intellectual property law associations in Asia and the U.S. and has spoken widely in Asia, Europe and the U.S. on intellectual property topics.

The fee for this special holiday event is $30 for existing IIPS members and $50 for non-members.  Admission for law school students is $10.  The nominal $60 annual membership dues fee, plus the $30 holiday event fee for members (totaling $90), may be enclosed with your membership application.    Membership entitles you to attend other regular meetings during the September 2009 - September 2010 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.  Mail the Membership Form with annual dues, or meeting payment by Wednesday, November 25, 2009, to Harris Wolin at Myers Wolin, LLC, 100 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960.