ND California Patent Pilot Program Seminar
On January 18, 2012, the FCBA will be co-sponsoring an event with the Federal Bar Association and Stanford Law School beginning at 2pm PST.  The program on the Northern District of California Patent Pilot Program will take place in Paul Brest Hall at Stanford Law School.  For more information about panelists and timing, click here for a pdf flyer.

The International Series
Launched in November, 2010, the International Series explores the search for best practices in legal systems around the world and how those practices--both in terms of governance and the practice of law--relate to innovation and the betterment of societies. The dialogue includes judges, business leaders, government representatives, and leading practitioners from around the globe.

Before robust audiences, the May 18, 2011 program in Munich and October 25, 2011 program in Tokyo drew corporate, government, and judicial representatives, as well as practitioners and academicians, in spirited and candid comparisons on existing conditions and on possible enhancements encouraging innovation and the economic benefits it brings to societies. Consult this space for further developments in the International Series.

The Friedman Memorial Committee and
Judge Daniel M. Friedman Appellate Lecture
The Association is pleased to announce two significant undertakings for its membership and the Circuit community. In cooperation with former clerks of Judge Friedman, a respected jurist and long-time friend to and mentor for the Association, a new Committee for Association members has been established. The Committee will honor the memory, spirit, and accomplishments of Judge Friedman. In addition, within the Association, the Committee will pursue a prestigious annual lecture, the Judge Daniel M. Friedman Appellate Lecture, to advance the field of appellate advocacy. For further details, click here. Contributions earmarked for the Daniel M. Friedman Appellate Lecture may be made by clicking here.

The State of Patent Litigation
On September 27, 2011, at the Eastern District of Texas Bench and Bar, Chief Judge Randall R. Rader highlighted areas deserving of attention to improve patent litigation. A pdf of this can be found here. Chief Judge Rader cited six important areas of focus for both Bench and Bar consideration and improvement, including the problem of excess e-discovery. In coordination with the Chief Judge's remarks, the Circuit's Advisory Council publicly released a proposed "Model Order on E-Discovery in Patent Cases" found here. As part of its continuing emphasis on "Innovation and Efficiency," the FCBA co-sponsored the Bench and Bar in Dallas, Texas, a program attended by more than 500 judges and attorneys.

At the Beginning: Circuit Judges Speak on the Formation of the Federal Circuit
On March 18, 2009, Chief Judge Paul Michel, Judge Daniel Friedman, Judge Pauline Newman, and Judge Randall Rader discussed, in insightful detail, the formation of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and its subsequent history.  An audio-video record of this National Press Club event can be found here.

The View from the Solicitor General's Office
On March 18, 2009, former Solicitors General Gregory Garre, Paul Clement, Theodore Olson, Seth Waxman, explored the role of that office and existing practices and opportunities with respect to the Federal Circuit practice areas.  An audio-video record of this National Press Club event can be found here.

FCBA Jury Instructions
Important!  The Association patent jury instructions have recently been revised as of October 2011.  Offering a comprehensive resource and structured in "plain English", judges and lawyers will find these instructions key resources and ready for tailoring to the particular case.  The instructions are available in pdf format here, with the list of changes shown here.

FCBA Jury Instructions Suggestions
The 2010 FCBA Model Patent Jury Instructions provide a revised instruction on willful infringement See Section B.3 Infringement (3.8 Willful Infringement.)  The revisions were prompted by excellent suggestions from our readers.  Please submit comments using this form.

FCBA Law Student Relationships
The Association has working relationships providing for joint programs and studies as well as useful learning opportunities for law students interested in the Circuit subject matter.  Schools include The George Washington University Law School, The University of Richmond School of Law, The University of Washington School of Law (and its Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property), and The Washington College of Law at American University (and its Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property: www.pijip.org).