Patent Information Users Group (PIUG) Announces

2026 PIUG Joint Annual and Biotech Conference

Philadelphia May 19-21, 2026

Hold the Date!

Convene Conference Center

Two Commerce Square
2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

More details coming soon

PIUG has made the decision to provide an updated version of the previous Virtual Patent Searching Fundamentals Course.  The  previous individual webinars will remain available on-demand until the updated version is presented.  The schedule of the updated webinars are posted on the Education & Training Website.

PIUG invites you to join our new Public LInkedin page at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13052572/

This more active page is open to everyone interested in patents and intellectual property and will allow postings by both PIUG members and non-members.

PIUG invites you to our new YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@PatentInformationUserGroup

View the PIUG basic education library and additional videos on patent information!

All Slides forPlenary Talks and 3 Workshops are now available to all members.  The remaining  workshops prsentation slides are currently not avaiabe.  If you want a copy of the missing slide decks, it is suggested  that you contact the presenter(s) directly for a copy.

A total of five(5) PIUG webinar courses have now been accredited by QPIP and are listed below complete with links to their respective QPIP webpages.  All PIUG webinars are listed HERE.

PIUG Patent Searching Fundamentals

PIUG - Legal status

Best Practices for Patent Searching

PIUG Advanced Patent Search Techniques

PIUG Patent Law for Searchers

Watch for future accreditations to be added from QPIP or  on our website as they are completed.

Presentation of the Live Webinar Will Be November 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST 

Ron Kaminecki (BIO)         Kaminecki IP LLP

Martha Yates (BIO)                Bayer Crop Science

Abstract: When do you know when you have found all novel prior art for an invention?

You probably suspect there may be something lurking behind a specialized source that you just didn’t find though you tried hard to do so. Recall how scary it is to confirm to an inventor that there just isn’t any prior art for the invention, all the while hoping that what you say is still true.

We are going to discuss some novel approaches for novelty searching.  Perhaps you need some novel sources.  Perhaps you need a novel way of looking at the invention.  Perhaps you need a novel way of formulating the query.  Please join us for some fun discussion about some ways of expanding your thinking on novelty searching.

Register for the course HERE

Please share this announcement with your colleagues and post to your professional association calendars.

The session will be recorded and available on demand on the PIUG Education and Training Page the following day.

Presentation of the Live Webinar Previously Scheduled for October 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM EDT  Has Been Rescheduled for December 13, 2023 at 10 AM EST

Andrea Davis (BIO)            Bodkin IP                              

Dominic DeMarco (BIO)    Managing Director of DeMarco IP

Abstract: An issued patent is considered a valuable asset. But how rock solid is the patent? Can it stand up to a challenge?

When applicants file for a patent, they usually do not apply infinite resources to determine potential patentable scope. Likewise, no patent office has unlimited time and budget to review an application during prosecution. All parties do the “best they can”.

And this is when the fun begins for us, as professional patent searchers! Can we do better than those who have come before us? Can we help a patent owner vet their own portfolio before assertion? Can we help a company eliminate potential roadblocks to rolling out a new product? Can we help a litigation defendant avoid a costly lawsuit?

In this brand-new course, PIUG instructors Andrea Davis and Dominic DeMarco will share best practices, tips, and tricks from their 50 years of real world, full time, patent searching experience. This will be an extension of the PIUG “Best Practices” series, but no prior coursework is required to enjoy and benefit from this class.

Register for the course HERE

Please share this announcement with your colleagues and post to your professional association calendars.

The session will be recorded and available on demand on the PIUG Education and Training Page the following day.

The conference website is now open and registration is available.  Watch the website for updates as sponsors are added and speakers are announced.  A new promotional program for registration discounts has also begun.  See the registration page for details.

EPO has an upcoming free virtual conference, Search Matters 2023 starting May 23, 2023.  You still have time to register.  This is the link for the program and for registration.

Presentation Slides for Plenary Talks and Workshops from the Conference are now available for all current PIUG Members from the Conference Webpages. Video availability is delayed slightly, but should be completed by the end of this week. Watch for an announcement to go out to all registered attendees.