Cravath Hosts Inaugural Patent Institute in New York City

On December 5, 2013, Cravath hosted the 2013 Patent Institute, featuring business leaders who represent forward‑looking companies and are interested in the patent system. The patent‑related topics were discussed from both practical and policy perspectives.

Cravath partner and former Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, David J. Kappos, discussed “Policy, Practice, and the PTO.” Cravath partner and former Head of the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division and Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, Christine A. Varney, spoke on “The Interface Between Competition and Exclusivity: Patents in the Era of Leverage.” Cravath partners Evan R. Chesler, Keith R. Hummel, Roger G. Brooks, Richard J. Stark and David Greenwald served as moderators in various panel discussions.

The Patent Institute started off with an introduction by Chief Judge Loretta A. Preska of the Southern District of New York. The program also featured a Keynote Address, “Taking the Long View of the IP System,” by Chief Judge Randall R. Radar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.