IP: DCISOC panel "Patents and the Internet" Oct. 3

[Dave Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

>
>PATENTS AND THE INTERNET
>Protection or roadblock to innovation?
>Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000, Tysons Corner, VA
>
>    This important panel will continue the debate between three
>    authorities, each vitally interested in the issue of patents
>    as it is evolving in IP Internet time.
>
>    (Dave, At the end of this meeting announcement, I'll give some
>    references to a previous debate and articles by these three
>    people.  Example: Lessig's '... I watched as a lawyer terrified
>    the assembled crowd of Internet startups with stories of the
>    increasing number of business-method patents that now haunt
>    Internet space. Patent No. 5,715,314, for example,  gives the
>    holder a monopoly over "network-based sales systems" ­ we call
>    that e-commerce. Patent No. 5,797,127 forms the basis for
>    Priceline.com and effectively blocks any competitor.  Patent No.
>    4,949,257 covers the purchase of software over a network. ')
>
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>MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
>Washington DC Chapter - The Internet Society
>
>The October meeting of The Internet Society, DC Area Chapter will bring
>together three special authorities to address the U.S. Patent Office and
>its attempts to keep in step with the increasing pace of technology, a
>topic that has significant short and long term impacts on the Internet.
>
>Many feel the Internet has become a world wide marvel because of an open
>environment with minimal regulation.  Others feel patent protection is
>needed in order to have continuous innovative development.  Are patents
>being granted for old ideas in "new clothing"; how easy is it to
>determine "prior art" vs uniqueness? Hear why patents for Internet
>related business processes and software have generated so much
>controversy.  Listen to what these experts have to say; ask your
>questions; do some networking.
>
>SPEAKERS
>
>   Q. TODD DICKINSON -- Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
>   Property, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
>
>   TIM O'REILLY -- Founder and president of O'Reilly & Associates, a
>   pioneer in the popularization of the Internet, and an activist for
>   Internet standards and for Open Source software.
>
>   LAWRENCE LESSIG -- One of the nation's leading authorities on
>   Internet law, author (Code, and Other Laws of Cyberspace), and
>   Professor of Law at the Stanford Law School.
>
>LOCATION
>
>    Booz-Allen Hamilton at Tysons Corner
>    Allen Building, 8283 Greensboro Drive
>    McLean, Virginia 22102     Tel. 703-902-5000
>    Directions and map at: Announcements page, http://www.dcisoc.org
>
>WHEN
>
>    Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000
>      6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Refreshment and networking
>      7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Panel discussion, questions and answers
>
>
>There is no charge for this event, which is open to the public.
>
>For more information, including speakers biographies and links on the
>burning issue of patents, see http://www.dcisoc.org or contact
>Terry Weigler <tweigler@dcisoc.org> 703-326-9880 ext. 112.
>
>If you plan to attend, please RSVP to <tweigler@dcisoc.org>.
>
>If your organization would like to sponsor this meeting, contact
>Marty Burack <burack@isoc.org>, tel. 703-645-2468, cell 703-599-4344.
>
>Press contact: Gene Gaines <gene.gaines@gainesgroup.com> 703-433-2081.
>
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>Links to statements on patents by the panelists:
>
>1. Who's Really Being Protected?
>    An Interview With the Patents Office Director and Tim O'Reilly
>    http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/patents/2000/05/24/PizzoFiles.html
>
>2. The above, Chapter 2
>    http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/patents/2000/05/24/PizzoFiles2.html
>
>3. A Few More Thoughts on the Patents Issue by Tim O'Reilly
>    http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/patents/2000/05/24/PizzoFiles3.html
>
>4. The Problem With Patents, By Lawrence Lessig
>    http://www.thestandard.com/article/article_print/0,1153,4296,00.html
>
>5. More Patent issue background information
>    http://www.dcisoc.org/info0010.html