IGT and UNLV Boyd School of Law to Host Intellectual Property Seminar on Sept. 23

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) and the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law are hosting a day-long  seminar on intellectual property assets, licensing and pooling for law professionals and law students at the UNLV Thomas & Mack Moot Court Facility on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011.

This cutting-edge seminar will focus on the commercialization of intellectual property and include sessions devoted to pooling and licensing of patent assets, as well as discussions and presentations on the recent developments in patent, copyright and trademark law.

"Recognizing the importance of intellectual property in the gaming industry is vital, which is why IGT has joined with the UNLV Boyd School of Law in sponsoring this essential seminar for the law community," said T. Rao Coca, IGT vice president of Intellectual Property Law.

"At IGT, we take our commitment to expanding the understanding of the value of intellectual property in our community very seriously and this seminar is one such example.  We recently announced the appointment of Mary LaFrance as the IGT Professor of Intellectual Property Law at UNLV and will continue to work with the university in developing further intellectual property courses for law students," said Coca.

"We are delighted to partner with IGT to support this important seminar. The protection of intellectual property has always been at the heart of American business but today is increasingly prominent," said John Valery White, dean of the Boyd School of Law. "The gaming industry, which has been so important to Nevada's growth and success will continue to thrive on the foundations of an efficient and effective intellectual property regime for the 21st century."

Speakers at the September event will include attorneys and academics specializing in intellectual property. The luncheon speaker will be special guest Bernie Knight, General Counsel of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, who will offer a glimpse of the inside dynamics of the patent reform legislation that is pending before the United States Congress. The day will conclude with an evening cocktail reception.

Participants will receive six CLE credits, including a 1.0 hour credit for ethics. Additional seminar information can be found at http://www.law.unlv.edu/IPseminar2011.

About UNLV Boyd School of Law

The William S. Boyd School of Law has more than 450 students and offers three juris doctor degree programs: a full-time day program, a part-time day program and a part-time evening program.  The school also offers three dual degree programs: a J.D./MBA, a J.D./M.S.W. and a J.D./Ph.D. It is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the American Association of Law Schools – accomplishments it achieved in record time.

UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. Founded in 1957, the university offers more than 220 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs. UNLV is located on a 332-acre campus in dynamic Southern Nevada and is classified in the category of Research Universities (high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

About IGT

International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com or follow IGT on Twitter at @IGTNews or Facebook at www.facebook.com/IGT.

SOURCE IGT