Sughrue Mion Attorney Kevin Kunzendorf Hosts "Rules for AIA" Panel at Licensing Executives Society Japan's Regional Conference

WASHINGTON and TOKYO, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevin Kunzendorf, an attorney at global intellectual property law firm, Sughrue Mion PLLC, hosted a panel on "Rules for AIA" at the Licensing Executives Society (LES) Japan's Regional Conference in Tokyo on September 4. Mr. Kunzendorf discussed the changes that the America Invents Act (AIA) will make to U.S. patent law and how the new regulations will impact Japanese businesses looking to protect their intellectual property rights in the U.S.

The theme of this year's LES Japan conference was "Maximizing the Value of Licensing Intellectual Properties in Pan Asia." The event sought to provide attendees from the Pan-Asian region, the U.S., and Europe an opportunity to share developments and insights on the latest happenings in Licensing and Intellectual Property.

The two-day conference also included keynote speeches from Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) President James E. Malackowski; Chief Judge Toshiaki Iimura, IP High Court (JAPAN); Commissioner of Japan Patent Office Yoshiyuki Iwai; and Deputy Director of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Teresa Stanek Rea.

In addition to Mr. Kunzendorf, Yoshi Kishimoto, Managing Partner for Sughrue Mion's Tokyo office also participated in the conference. Mr. Kishimoto was recently appointed to Tokyo American Intellectual Property Inn of Court, a newly established Inn as part of the American Inns of Court specializing in United States and Japan intellectual property law.

The LES panel in Tokyo was one of many examples of how Sughrue Mion and its attorneys are committed to providing education and counsel concerning intellectual property issues. In addition to several events in Europe and Asia this fall, the firm will host the inaugural Robert Shaw International Intellectual Property Symposium on International IP Practice and the America Invents Act at the University of New Hampshire on April 25, 2013.

About Sughrue Mion, PLLC

Sughrue Mion is the leading global intellectual property firm, helping thousands of companies from around the world navigate the complexities of patent and trademark law since 1957. Sughrue's practice is focused solely on intellectual property law, and the firm has helped its clients secure more patents than any other U.S. patent firm. Many of Sughrue's attorneys have worked as Examiners in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and more than 95 percent of the firm's attorneys are licensed to practice before the USPTO. Sughrue brings unmatched experience in patent interference proceedings and Post Grant Review, including ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings. This expertise provides the firm's clients with a clear advantage navigating the new America Invents Act (AIA) regulations. In addition to their legal expertise, Sughrue's attorneys have technical and scientific backgrounds ranging from biosimilars to nanotechnology, which allow for a true understanding of its clients' businesses and business challenges.  For more information, please visit www.sughrue.com.

About Licensing Executives Society International

The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) is an association comprised of men and women who have an interest in the transfer of technology, or licensing of intellectual property rights – from technical know-how and patented inventions to software, copyright and trademarks. It is strictly non-political and is free to grow by the creation of member societies throughout the world irrespective of politics or the state of technology development. For more information, please visit www.lesi.org.

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