Building Global IP Collaboration

Prof. Vladia Borissova (Director of Academy, European Union IP Office (EUIPO)), Skip Mark (Director, USPTO's Global Intellectual Property Academy), Charles Randolph (Head, Industry & NGO Relations, WIPO) and Ramesh Rao (Senior Director, Engineering, Qualcomm), moderated by Maria Fernanda Hurtado (GLIPA Executive Director). The panel discussed the role and impact of their organization’s work in building global collaboration to make the world a better place with IP. Watch the session here.

IP in Entertainment, Arts & Sports

Moderated by Jezlan Moyet (President, Georgia Entertainment), Kent Keirsey (Founder & CEO, Invoke), Honnie Korngold (Producer & Founder, CineVantage Productions), Lana Love (Singer, Songwriter, Creative, The Voice), and George York (Senior Vice President, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)), this lively discussion connected the creative industries with IP protection including topics such as copyright in digital media, athlete branding, and safeguarding artistic expression. Watch the session here.

Fireside Chat with David Kappos

David Kappos, Partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and former USPTO Director, shared how he found his way into the world of intellectual property, the key moments that led him to lead the USPTO, and valuable leadership lessons from his IP Journey.

IP Pulsecheck: Doing Business in the US

Education and innovation leaders Sara Leikin (Senior Director, National & International STEAM Partnerships, Center of Science & Industry), Ashley Mengwasser (Television and Podcast host), Hannah Paulin (Chief Strategic Officer, National Inventors Hall of Fame), and Carolyn Ward (Senior Director, Learning Engagement, Outreach & Impact, The Henry Ford), moderated by Carlyn Burton (Partner, Osha Bergman Watanabe & Burton LLP), discussed about thelink between education, creativity, and intellectual property, showing how experiential learning fosters inventorship from an early age. Watch the session here.

Prof. Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (India), also joined us virtually to share his insights on IP policy and progress. He underscored the importance of international alignment in patent harmonization, highlighting Indo–U.S. collaboration as a model for mutual learning. Watch the session here.

IP Driving Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Led by Nikhil Marathe (USIPA Executive Director), this session featured Keith Cowan (Chairman & CEO, Venadar), Derek Eberhart (Executive Director, Innovation Gateway, University of Georgia), Sherry Knowles (Principal, Knowles IP Strategies; Founder and Executive Director of KECTIL Program), and Jamie Renee (Executive Director, National Academy of Inventors). From startup incubation to academic patenting, the session explored how clear IP strategies create long-term economic value. Watch the session here.

IP and the Future of Learning

Education and innovation leaders Sara Leikin (Senior Director, National & International STEAM Partnerships, Center of Science & Industry), Ashley Mengwasser (Television and Podcast host), Hannah Paulin (Chief Strategic Officer, National Inventors Hall of Fame), and Carolyn Ward (Senior Director, Learning Engagement, Outreach & Impact, The Henry Ford), moderated by Carlyn Burton (Partner, Osha Bergman Watanabe & Burton LLP), discussed about thelink between education, creativity, and intellectual property, showing how experiential learning fosters inventorship from an early age. Watch the session here.

Artificial Intelligence & Intellectual Property: Blurred Lines

AI thought leaders Ryan Abbott (Mediator and Arbitrator, JAMS, Inc.), Gideon Myles (Associate General Counsel, Patents & Trademarks, OpenAI), and Shikhar Sahni (GreyB), moderated by John A. Hudson (Senior Managing Director, Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held), explored the evolving challenges and opportunities at the intersection of AI and IP.

The discussion grappled with foundational issues, current impacts, and the future potential of AI, as well as the tools and infrastructure shaping its use in IP. It was a powerful reminder of how quickly the legal landscape is shifting and how essential it is to embrace healthy friction in these conversations. Watch the session here.

Special Recognition

We honored the incredible work of Alan Kasper, dear member of our Board in recognition of his lasting contributions and life legacy. His sons, Evan Kasper and Peter Kasper, joined us to receive a special award.

During the evening, we celebrated the power of IP with our members, sponsors, and founders, a special moment to deepen relationships and honor our shared journey at the Fox Theatre. The event was filled with networking, lively conversations, all capped off by a special live performance by Lana Love of The Voice!