PIUG - Patent Information Users Group, Inc. upcoming events

Essential Patent Search Techniques (19 Feb 2025)

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Learn essential information and techniques to effectively search for patent information.

Understanding database coverage, content and structure
Balancing precision versus recall
Comparing search types including bibliographic, keyword, classification, citation, full-text and indexed content
Building comprehensive search statements using search operators and command language techniques including nesting, truncation, wildcards and stemming
Contrasting search features across free and commercial resources
Considering necessary steps for different search types: Patentability, Freedom to Operate and Validity
Practical search example applying these techniques

NOTE: Before registering for any of the individual webinars , please consider registering for the complete series to save money. Register for the Series HERE!

PIUG Course - Essential Techniques for Finding Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) (04 May 2025)

Sun, 04 May 2025 19:00:00 GMT

INSTRUCTOR: John Zabilski Chair, PIUG Education & Training Committee

Registered US Patent Agent (No. 59,626)

Qualified Patent Information Professional (No. 20190010100257)

It’s known by several names including Freedom to Practice or a clearance search. Without Freedom to Operate you may not be able to make, use or sell your invention. An FTO search looks for in-force patents in a geographic area of interest to avoid potential infringement. Discover what is required to complete a comprehensive search and identify what is still legally protected to better inform business decisions. This course provides understanding of the fundamental concepts of FTO, identifies essential resources for finding FTO and includes search examples demonstrating suggested approaches for FTO searches. Also learn how to utilize freely accessible resources to determine what is legally in-force such as INPADOC and national patent office registers as well as vendor-based alternatives. Whether you are new to performing FTO searches or more experienced, this course provides focused techniques that save your time and make you more effective in achieving accurate results.

This course is offered as a virtual course for those not attending the PIUG 2025 Annual Conference in-person or participating as a virtual registrant of the conference.

Available live in-person/virtually online or access on-demand afterwards!

PIUG 2026 Joint Annual and Biotech Conference (19 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

PIUG 2026 Joint Annual and Biotech Conference

Tuesday, May 19 - Thursday, May 21, 2026

Convene Conference Center

Two Commerce Square

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The plenary sessions will begin after a Welcome Reception and run through through Thursday afternoon, but you’ll have many great opportunities to learn and connect throughout the conference. More details are available on the Program Page at PIUG Preliminary Program

Tuesday, May 19: Welcome Reception, Plenary Sessions and Opportunities for informal dine-arounds in the evening.
Wednesday, May 20: Plenary Sessions, Workshops, Exhibitor Happy Hour Reception and Opportunities for informal dine-arounds in the evening.
Thursday, May 21: Plenary Sessions and Workshops.
Hotel Reservations

Hotel reservations at the PIUG group rate are available by contacting the SONESTA PHILADELPHIA RITTENHOUSE SQUARE, 1800 Market Street by phone at +1 215-561-7500 or toll-free at +1 800-SONESTA for attendees or via the PIUG Conference Reservation web page. Identify yourself as attending the PIUG 2026 Joint Annual and Biotechnology Conference. Please remember to make your hotel reservation prior to 5:00 PM EDT on April 27, 2026 in order to guarantee the room prices negotiated by PIUG for this conference.

The conference is taking place at the Convene Center at Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103.
The Convene representative will check you off the registered list at the reception area and the meeting center is on the second floor. Please note that the entrance to Commerce Square is on Market Street halfway between 20^th and 21^st. Convene is through the courtyard on the right side. There is also an entrance from JFK Blvd. for those coming from 30^th St station.
See the PIUG Preliminary Program for complete details including workshops and presentation titles, abstracts and speaker biographies

Note, although this program is nearly complete minor changes may still occur.

Please share the program with your colleagues that may be interested in attending as registration remains open right up to the conference start date at Conference Registration

If you have any questions, please direct them to admin@piug.org

Community Engagement Hour (10 Jun 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Patent Information Users Group - Community Engagement Hour

OPTIONAL - Sign Up/Registration is Available from the PIUG webpage below; This gives you the ability to add the event to your personal CALENDAR. Registration opens the day after each previous session.

PIUG MONTHLY Calendar - June 10

Theme to Be Announced

Zoom Link:

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00am–12:00pm ET, for a PIUG Community Engagement hour. These bimonthly meetings will be informal get-togethers to network and share experiences around patent searching, databases & resources, analytics, etc. This is a great way to meet people in the patent information profession, connect with old friends & colleagues, and learn from each other.

We will do a quick overview of what is current in our community and what was accomplished in the past year. We would like some feedback about the community site and about plans for the rest of 2026 and the future of our organization. Hope to see everyone participating.

Agenda:

11:00am – Welcome & Recap of Recent Events
11:15am - Breakouts for small group networking & discussion
11:35am – Switch Breakouts for more small group networking & discussion
11:55am – Final Comments & Adjourn

PIUG - Patent Information Users Group, Inc. upcoming events

Essential Patent Search Techniques (19 Feb 2025)

PIUG Course - Essential Techniques for Finding Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) (04 May 2025)

PIUG 2026 Joint Annual and Biotech Conference (19 May 2026)

Hotel Reservations

Community Engagement Hour (10 Jun 2026)