Lucas & Mercanti Attorneys Address Audiences Worldwide on the New U.S. Patent Law

With the September 16 enactment of the new U.S. patent law, the America Invents Act, Lucas & Mercanti partners and associates addressed professional audiences in the United States, Europe and Japan on the impact that the new law will have on corporations around the world. The lawyers participated in a series of conferences, roundtables and seminars during September and October. Some provisions of the law took effect almost immediately, other parts will take effect at various times during the next 18 months.

Robert P. Michal was the lead presenter at programs in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. The program in Denmark was held at the U.S. Embassy and some 75 people attended. The program was co-sponsored by the Danish Institute for IP Rights Training (DIFI) and the Swedish IP Academy, and featured additional presentations by Lise Ryberg, Vice President of Corporate Patents & Trademarks at H. Lundbeck A/S, and other leading Swedish and Danish patent attorneys.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Michal addressed a conference in Stockholm sponsored by the Association of IP Professionals in Swedish Industry. In recognition of the leading Swedish companies represented at the conference and the importance of the topic, his hour-long presentation was introduced by Frank Carrico, Senior Commerce Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Sweden.

Lucas & Mercanti partners Klaus P. Stoffel and Donald C. Lucas also spoke at a seminar on the new patent law that was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt. In-house counsel from major German pharmaceutical companies and large manufacturing companies were in attendance. Subsequently, Lucas & Mercanti attorney Silvia Salvadori, Ph.D. spoke to professional audiences in Italy on the new U.S. patent law.

Three Lucas & Mercanti lawyers were accompanied by the firm’s native Japanese speaking administrative assistant, Asuka Tina Yanagida, who served as translator for a series of programs in Japan. Robert Michal and Donald Lucas, assisted by Christina Jordan, addressed legal and academic audiences in Tokyo and Nagoya. They also spoke at a program sponsored by the U.S. Consulate in Osaka that was attended by more than 50 patent professionals from leading Japanese corporations.

Closer to home, Lucas & Mercanti managing partner Michal N. Mercanti was the lead off speaker at a seminar on the implications of the new patent statute that was sponsored by the Association of Corporate Counsel, Westchester County/Southern CT Chapter. The program, attended by the New York area’s leading in-house counsel, was held in Stamford, Connecticut.

Lucas & Mercanti is looking forward to replicating these educational programs and welcomes the active involvement of our colleagues. To learn more about these educational opportunities, including serving as a moderator, speaker or host, please contact Robert Michal at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .