THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2008, 9:30 A.M.

Dean Kamen, Inventor

IPO FOUNDATION PUBLIC AWARENESS VIDEO AIRS ON  PUBLIC TELEVISION BEGINNING NOV. 8 -- Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway® personal transporter, is featured in an IPO Education Foundation video entitled "Spotlight On: The U.S. Patent System."  During his interview on the video, he says, "The patent system is nothing more than a way to encourage people to innovate... to take risks... to make the world a better place." The 5-minute educational video also includes interviews with Dr. Donald Keck, co-inventor of telecommunications fiber optics, and Dr. Amar Bose, inventor of Bose® sound systems.  The video premiered at the IPO Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA and is now available for viewing on the Foundation website,  www.ipoef.org.  Click here for the Acceptable Use Policy.  Watch for the video to air on PBS member affiliates beginning on November 8!   With additional fundraising, the Foundation plans to develop a broad-reaching public awareness campaign that will emphasize how the intellectual property system encourages innovation and creativity and strengthens the national economy. 

OBAMA TRANSITION LEADER HAS IP EXPERIENCE -- Yesterday President-elect Obama announced that his transition team will be headed by John Podesta, who was chief of staff to President Clinton, and by Valerie Jarrett and Pete Rouse.  In the 1980’s Podesta had responsibility for intellectual property issues for Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is now chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

IP SUITS -- Compiled from newswire reports and other sources:

Yesterday Dow Jones reported that Sanofi-Aventis sued Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc. on Oct. 27 in a Texas court, alleging infringement of Sanofi's patents covering the production of rheumatoid arthritis drug Rituxan and alleging that at least eight other Genentech products infringe on its patents.

Paul F. Prestia, RatnerPrestia

IPO WEBSITE INCLUDES ARTICLE ON BIOLOGICS -- An article entitled, "Generic Versions of Biologics: The Problem and a Possible Solution," by Paul F. Prestia of RatnerPrestia has been posted to the IPO Articles and Reports Section.  To view this password-protected article, go to www.ipo.org/articles (click on "Patents").  Send submissions to articles@ipo.org.

Gerald J. Mossinghoff, former Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

IPO EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED, SIGN UP NOW -- Increase your firm or company’s exposure at IPO’s Annual Meetings. IPO’s IP Expo is open to members and non-members. Due to limited space, the exhibit hall sells out fast, usually within days of being announced. Don’t miss your opportunity. For questions or to be added to the notification list, contact Clara Stanfield (cstanfield@ipo.org or call 202.507.4511).

FORMER DIRECTOR MOSSINGHOFF TO SPEAK AT PTO DAY -- The luncheon speaker at the 19th Annual PTO Day conference on December 1 will be Gerald J. Mossinghoff, former Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  Visit www.ipoef.org/ptopi2008 for program details and to register for the conference.