Patent and trademark attorneys face distinct ethical and substantive rules set forth by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), often diverging from those in traditional legal practice. Join us for an insightful class led by a registered patent attorney with a specialization in ethics matters, who guides you through an attorney’s unique responsibilities under the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct, which are based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. This class will clarify the distinct regulatory and ethical landscape for intellectual property law and will cover the following:
- Navigating Conflicts of Interest: Delve into intellectual property-specific conflicts, including subject matter conflicts and issues arising in USPTO actions and searches
- The Duty of Candor: Understand the candor obligations at the USPTO and how they impact interactions and disclosures
- Client Representation Best Practices: Learn strategies for representing clients ethically and effectively within the constraints of the USPTO’s guidelines.
Those who attend will gain a deeper understanding of the USPTO’s regulatory framework, ethical mandates, and the impact of federal preemption on state laws governing attorney conduct. This class is essential for those looking to enhance their practice while maintaining strict adherence to IP-specific ethical obligations.