Unfair Acts and Unfair Competition: Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights at the Border through Section 337

Time:         8:00 am - 9:30 am
Location:   Steptoe & Johnson LLP
                   115 S. LaSalle Street | Conference Center | Room 801 | Chicago, IL 60603

When protecting an IP portfolio, companies often overlook Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which can allow companies to stop imports at the US border.  The US International Trade Commission (ITC) adjudicates Section 337 investigations which provide companies a means to deal with patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, as well as other forms of unfair competition. While actions under Section 337 have gained in popularity in recent years, Section 337 still remains an underused option for protecting an IP portfolio.  One reason for the increased popularity of Section 337 proceedings is that the ITC issues exclusion orders to successful complainants, whereas obtaining court injunctions has become more difficult for patent holders in the wake of eBay v. MercExchange.

Join attorneys from Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s Intellectual Property and International Trade litigation practices as they discuss:

• When to consider initiating an investigation.
• The advantages of appearing before the ITC rather than a district court.
• How to prepare a case before the ITC.
• Practical steps to take to ensure intellectual property rights can be enforced.

Presenters:  Charles Schill,  Alice Kipel, Stan Schlitter, and Steve Barber

Date:         Thursday, October 30, 2008
Time:         8:00 am - 9:30 am
Location:   Steptoe & Johnson LLP
                   115 S. LaSalle Street | Conference Center | Room 801 | Chicago, IL 60603  

CLE credit is pending for attorneys who are members of the Illinois State Bar.