Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly Hosts "Patent Pending" Symposium

On February 20, 2013, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly will present “Patent Pending,” the journal’s annual panel discussion on controversial constitutional law issues. “Patent Pending” is graciously co-sponsored by Morrison & Foerster LLP.

In less than two months, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, a case that hinges on whether human genes constitute patentable material. The symposium encourages discussion and debate and will educate attendees about this topic from legal, social, political, and bioethical viewpoints.

The Court’s ruling will have a significant impact on how biotechnology companies allocate resources and influence the ability of all patent holders to enforce their rights against infringers. “Patent Pending” will expand our understanding of product patents, process patents, and how we define the human body.

The evening’s discussion will be moderated by noted patent law expert Robin Feldman, Professor of Law and Director of the Law & Bioscience Project at UC Hastings. Joining Professor Feldman on this distinguished panel will be Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Vern Norviel from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Wesley Overson and James Mullen of Morrison & Foerster, Professor David Winickoff from UC Berkeley, and Megan Allyse from Stanford University.

Free MCLE credit is available for eligible attendees. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and other light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

For those unable to attend, the event will be recorded and posted on the journal’s symposium page: www.hastingsconlawquarterly.org/symposium.php.

Schedule of Events:

5:00pm
Doors Open to the Public

5:10pm
Welcome Address
Jonathan August, Editor in Chief,
Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly

5:15pm
Introductory Remarks
Professor Robin Feldman, UC Hastings

5:20pm
—First Half of Panel—

• Chief Judge Alex Kozinski. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• James Mullen, Morrison & Foerster
• Wesley Overson, Morrison & Foerster
• Vern Norviel, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
• Professor David Winickoff, University of California, Berkeley
• Megan Allyse, Stanford University

6:20pm
—Break—

6:30pm
—Second Half of Panel—

7:30pm
Audience Q&A

7:55pm
Closing Remarks
Annie Moskovian, Executive Symposium Editor
Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly

Location: UC Hastings College of the Law, Louis B. Mayer Lounge, 198 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Contact Information: Annie Moskovian, (415) 581-8957, clq@uchastings.edu.