Join us in Chicago, IL by Registering Today for the PIUG 2024 Joint Annual and Biotechnology Conference where you will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts on patent information and technology research as well as law firms and patent search companies.  Early Bird Rates have also been extended to February 29th, 2024, but do not wait until the last day to register. 

This year we are announcing a new Bring-A-Friend promotion.  Introduce PIUG to your friends and receive 10% off your registration fees with every friend you refer!  Details of the promotion are given on the Registration Page.

Watch our website for more updates as the program develops and more details as the abstracts and speaker biographies are received.  

The conference will also include:

·         an exhibit hall where new and cutting edge patent information tools will be showcased by top vendors in the industry; 

·         high quality workshops held by globally respected industry leaders before and after the technical sessions of the conference; and

·         many networking opportunities and social activities including a dinner cruise on Tuesday evening, May 7th after a full agenda of interesting talks, Unconference sessions and workshops.

Who should attend: those who have a professional, scientific, or technical interest in patents and represent companies, law firms, universities, search firms, government agencies or are independent patent information professionals.

Hotel Accommodation: If you are in need of hotel accommodation, please note that the PIUG special discount rate ends on Thursday, March 28th!  Don’t miss out, reserve your room today! 

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

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.

Applications are now open for both the Brian Stockdale Award and the Stu Kaback Award.  Please submit your applications following directions given on each web page.  Deadlines for submission are much earlier this year to allow awardees time to apply for travel visas if needed.  That will allow them to receive the award in person and participate in the conference in Chicago in May 2024.

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.

All recordings have been added and are now available to all registrants to the conference, both In-person and Virtual attendees.  Slides are also added to the meeting app for your convenience as well.  Any questions, email admin@piug.org. 

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 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.

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.