Following the EU Commission’s pharmaceutical sector report, competition law has become increasingly important to the pharma sector. One of the most debated issues is the practice of patent settlements (a.k.a. “pay for delay” or “reverse payments”), which is reflected by the most recent 3rd Commission report on patents settlements (July 25th, 2012). Even in the US there have been seminal developments on this issue, involving fiercely discussed policy statements by the US president and the FTC, as well as pending litigation at the US Supreme Court. This presentation elaborates on this important topic and present the very latest developments in the US.

Patent reform - Where, When, Why and How? Major reforms of the patent system are taking place on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe the Holy Grail of unification (a unified right with a unified court system) is within reach. In the US a major overhaul of the patent system is being carried out through both legislative reform and groundbreaking court decisions. At the same time, developments in the legal areas surrounding patent law (such as competition law) and within patent law itself silently reform the way patents can be enforced and what can be protected. This conference brings together Danish and international experts to analyse, describe, and discuss these important developments. Time: Tuesday 18 June 2013 16:00-19:00 Place: Faculty of Law, The staff canteen 02-3-44, Studiegaarden, Studiestraede 6, 3rd floor, DK-1455 Copenhagen K Programme: 16:00: Welcome / Professor Jens Schovsbo, CIIR 16:05: The reform of the EUropean patent system / Jesper Kongstad, Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office and Chairman of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organization 16:25: The reform of the US patent system / Professor Dan Burk, UC Irvine 16:45: Discussion 17:00: Break 17.15: Patent settlements reach the US Supreme Court / Associate Professor Timo Minssen, CIIR 17.35: Patenting Human Enhancement / PhD-student Ana Nordberg, CIIR 17:55: Discussion 18:15: End of conference Drinks Registration: For participation in the conference please use this registration form no later than Tuesday, 11 June 2013, 24:00 at the latest.