PIUG - Patent Information Users Group, Inc. Announcements

Conquer WIPO’s Patent Quest at the PIUG Conference in Philadelphia May 19-21!

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:17:40 GMT

The Patent and Information Users Group (PIUG) is privileged to announce WIPO’s participation in their 2026 Joint Annual & Biotech Meeting. In addition to delivering the keynote address, they have agreed to present their interactive serious game session, Patent Quest.

Patent Quest is the first-ever game-based learning on patent analytics and has been developed in collaboration with House of Knowledge (HoK). Players are part of a team tasked to go through the necessary steps to create a patent landscape report including defining scope, patent search, data cleaning, data analysis, and summation. Along the way participants learn new techniques and ways of thinking from their team members.

Don’t miss this one-time opportunity – register for the PIUG Conference at https://www.piug.org/an26/reg

PIUG 2026 Joint Annual and Biotechnology Conference

Ken Koubek — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:22:16 GMT

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 Announces Updated Patent Fundamentals course.

Ken Koubek — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:13:13 GMT

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 Announces a Public LinkedIn Group and a YouTube Page

Ken Koubek — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:25:52 GMT

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!

Presentation Slides Available for 2024 Joint Annual and Biotechnology Conference

Ken Koubek — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 21:03:48 GMT

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.

Five PIUG Webinar Courses Accredited by QPIP

Ken Koubek — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:18:53 GMT

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.

November Webinar: Best Practices: Novel Approaches for Novelty Searching

Ken Koubek — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:46:17 GMT

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.

Upcoming Webinar: Best Practices for Validity and Opposition Supporting Patent Searches

Ken Koubek — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:19:53 GMT

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.

PIUG 2024 Joint Annual and Biotechnology Conference

Ken Koubek — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:09:17 GMT

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 Search Matters Conference

Ken Koubek — Thu, 18 May 2023 19:25:45 GMT

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.

Follow-up to Announcement Concerning Slides and Recordings from 2023 Annual

Ken Koubek — Mon, 08 May 2023 19:08:44 GMT

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.

Recordings of Scheduled Talks and Workshops at PIUG 2023 Annual Available by May 6, 2023

Ken Koubek — Tue, 02 May 2023 18:37:54 GMT

Recordings of all the scheduled presentations and workshops will be posted by May 6, 2023, beginning with the workshops from Sunday, April 30th. These are only available to those people who registered for the conference.

Registration Deadline for Dinner Cruise Announcement!

Ken Koubek — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 23:30:47 GMT

After discussion with the Regional Event Coordinator from City Cruises, a deadline has been imposed in order to guarantee all participants will have adequate food and beverages.

Registration Deadline has been set as April 24th, 2023 at Midnight EDT! Don't delay and miss out on an enjoyable evening.

Evening Dinner Cruise and River Tour

Ken Koubek — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:35:53 GMT

Please join us for a casual cruise down the Potomac on the City Cruises vessel, National Elite. No formal attire, no gala dinner, no awards ceremony. Just food, fun and friends enjoying an evening on the river while playing games on the upper deck or sharing a drink with colleagues. Our 2-hour tour will include a full buffet, open bar, deck games, and much more.

Although this event is complementary with your PIUG conference attendance, registration is required in advance to attend.

Conference attendees are welcome to bring guests for an additional fee. More details and registration here!

Cutoff Date for Negotiated Hotel Rates

Ken Koubek — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:29:30 GMT

Just Announced! After discussion with hotel management, the hotel management has agreed to extend the cutoff date for our negotiated rates to April 14th. Please take advantage of this offer and save now!

One Day Registration Rates are now available.

Ken Koubek — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 04:48:38 GMT

For those who can't be out of the office for more than one day, but want to attend in-person for some talks and workshops, one day rates opened on March 20th!

Change in EPO/USPTO Workshop

Ken Koubek — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 22:11:42 GMT

The upcoming workshop being presented on CPC Classification has been extended by starting at 7:15 AM on Wednesday, May 3, 2013 to allow ample time for the Q&A session with USPTO CPC Subject Matter Experts. The focus will be on New Emerging Technology fields such as Aerial Drones, Additive Manufacturing and Laminated Materials. #PIUG23

PIUG 2023 Annual Conference - Call for Papers

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 19:29:03 GMT

#PIUG23

Sunday, April 30 - Wednesday, May 3, 2023

We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the PIUG 2023 Annual Conference to be held April 30 - May 3, 2023 at the Westin Alexandria in Alexandria VA. The theme for the 35th Annual Conference is:

The Unconference—Choose Your Own Patent Adventure

Why should you attend a conference in person? With everything online these days, what can make you pack your bags and get on a plane? PIUG presents the patent unconference. We will have a mix of traditional talks, talks from vendors, time to interact with our vendors, traditional social time and unconference sessions. Traditional talks will be recorded and available for virtual attendees. Unconference sessions will only be live.

Unconference sessions will be 20-30 minute sessions where small groups will talk about topics that are voted on the day before. Thus only the most relevant topics will be discussed.

We are interested in papers from ALL sectors of the patent information community (chemistry, electrical, mechanical, software, pharmaceutical & biotechnology), and from ALL areas of the patent professional community (attorneys, agents, examiners, searchers (corporate and independent consultants) & tech transfer offices) on patent searching and analysis topics with an emphasis on practical applications and use cases.

We would also like suggestions for any unconference topics that you would like to discuss. Please send your suggestions to Martha Yates (martha.yates@bayer.com). Potential topics could include vendor resources, websites, applications, soft skills such as client management, or anything else that relates to patent searching. If you would be interested in moderating an unconference session please contact Martha. These sessions can be totally unstructured or have some structure with the goal being discussion- this is not meant to be a big time commitment or a talk. Rather, the moderator will introduce the topic through a 1-2 slide introduction or using just a few sentences, and then ensure that the discussion keeps moving. Ideas will be voted on at the meeting to determine what will happen.

General Guidelines for submitting proposal/topic/ideas:

·         Send your paper title, abstract (max. 200 words), speaker names, affiliation, brief biography and full contact information to Martha Yates (martha.yates@bayer.com). Note: presentations are typically 20-30 min., followed by 5 min. questions and answers.

·         Do not include confidential or business-sensitive information in your abstract.

·         If you would like to recommend a speaker or a topic for a presentation or an unconference session, please contact the PIUG 2023 Annual Conference organizers, listed below, with your comments and suggestions.

·         Further news about the program and updates regarding the conference will be posted on the PIUG web site at www.piug.org and PIUG Community.

Deadline is January 31, 2023.

Please share this notice within your greater patent information community to enhance our outreach efforts. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you at the PIUG 2023 Annual Conference!

PIUG 2023 Annual Conference Program Committee

Martha Yates, Committee Chair

Call for Papers: PIUG 2023 Biotechnology Conference The Biotech Universe: Food, Animals, Devices, and Therapeutics.

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 19:58:01 GMT

Call for Papers

Now in its 17th year, the PIUG Biotechnology Conference focuses on best practices for patent information professionals who specialize in biotechnology search and analysis. Within a changing scientific and business environment, patent searchers continue to provide value to their organization and clients by maintaining contemporary knowledge of resources, technologies and industry trends.

The program committee is accepting submissions until November 1, 2022, on the following suggested topics associated with the theme, The Biotech Universe: Food, Animals, Devices, and Therapeutics. The theme is meant to inspire but not to limit topic selection - all topics related to biotechnology patent information research listed below will be considered.

Human and animal health vaccines along with technology development
Digital health and digital therapeutics including wearable devices, biosensors, medical devices, companion applications and diagnostics
Policies impacting biotechnology
Agriculture, animal, and food science
Cell and gene therapy including sequences, vector, delivery mechanisms, manufacturing/production, formulations and targeted indications
Presentations on scientific resources that will help biotech patent searchers develop and maintain their scientific knowledge and searching skills. Topic themes include technology platforms, biosimilars, including exclusivity information and the BPCIA “patent dance”, multi-valent antibodies as well as modifications, gene editing (CRISPR), CDR searching, combination therapeutics, and advanced sequence searching
The use of computer assisted searching such as text mining, machine learning or artificial intelligence in biotechnology patent searching
How changes in the law or regulatory procedures impact biotechnology patent searching
The use of patent information as a pre-competitive intelligence tool, intellectual property valuation/monetization, in licensing/out licensing opportunity identification, and patent landscaping/trend analysis
Practical suggestions to illustrate these themes are as follows:
- Best practices in constructing patent search strategies, reporting formats, and use of new tools for the organization/management of patent alerts/watches
- Showcase methods for effective client engagement, user experience, attorney outreach and time management
- The incorporation use cases in the academic, corporate and other sectors
- Examples of how a work product supports or is a component of business decisions
Review the use of patent information as a competitive intelligence resource
Approaches to fostering continuous improvement, i.e., use of analytical &/or visualization applications, implementing quality control guidelines, team collaboration and knowledge sharing practices.

In addition, as always, the committee is interested in presentations about a specific search scenario with the strategy described, databases used, results identified, or other tips and tricks.

Interested speakers should submit the following to https://form.jotform.com/biotechconf/piug23bioproposals and by November 1, 2022:

Proposed speaker name
Brief biography
Full contact information
Presentation title
Abstract (100 – 200 words)

The organizers reserve the right to accept abstracts at their discretion in order to assemble the best possible program. Invited speakers may take precedence over other speakers. Please be advised that your abstract submission maybe published on the PIUG web site and related media, shortly after receipt or at any time thereafter. Therefore, do not include confidential or business-sensitive information in your abstract.

If you would like to recommend a speaker on a particular topic or suggest another topic of interest, we would appreciate hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact the PIUG 2023 Biotechnology Conference organizers, listed below with your views.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you at the PIUG 2023 Biotechnology Conference!

Conference Committees

*Board Liaison*	Victoria Smith	Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research (NIBR)
*Evaluation*	Christine Geluk	Librarian At Your Service LLC
*Exhibitor Liaison*	Monica Weiss-Nolen	Zoetis
Meeting Book	Diane Webb	BizInt
*Operations*	Kenneth Koubek	PIUG
*Planning*	Qin Meng *	Fairview Research / IFI CLAIMS Patent Services
*Program*	Alison Taylor *	Abbott
	Greg Roland *	Novartis
*Publicity*	Christine Geluk *	Librarian At Your Service LLC
Registration	Donna Fisher Bobrick
*Sponsorship*	Jane Thompson *	Eisai Inc.
*Web Pages*	Richard Williams	Zoetis Inc
*Workshops*	Monica Weiss-Nolen *	Zoetis
	Kenneth Koubek	PIUG
* Chair or Co-Chair