BarbriSFCourseDetails

Course Details

This CLE course will provide patent counsel with guidance on using invalidity opinions in defense of patent infringement claims. The panel will discuss the issue of waiver of the attorney-client privilege and other factors when considering invalidity opinions. The panel will provide best practices for obtaining and using invalidity opinions.

Faculty

Description

Recent decisions have changed the landscape and renewed awareness of an invalidity opinion's role in patent litigation. Obtaining an invalidity opinion and examining infringement risks can protect an accused infringer from a willful infringement finding and significant damages.

However, obtaining and utilizing invalidity opinions is not without its risks. The alleged infringer should consider the timing and the potential steps that an invalidity opinion could trigger. Further, a price for using an invalidity opinion could be a waiver of attorney-client privilege.

Listen as our authoritative panel of patent attorneys examines the use of invalidity opinions and the considerations counsel must address when drafting an invalidity opinion. The panel will also offer best practices for using invalidity opinions.

Outline

  1. Use of invalidity opinions
  2. Drafting invalidity opinions
    1. Key considerations
    2. Privilege implications
  3. Recent cases
  4. Best practices for obtaining and using invalidity opinions
    1. Timing
    2. Triggers
    3. Attorney-client privilege

Benefits

The panel will review these and other noteworthy issues:

  • What are the benefits of obtaining invalidity opinions? What are the risks?
  • How have courts addressed invalidity defenses?
  • Under what circumstances should invalidity opinions be sought to protect from infringement claims and enhanced damages?