The Washington, D.C. Chapter held an engaging event on February 23, 2017, on advanced topics and current issues in patent damages.  

The panel of experts included Dr. Jennifer Vanderhart of Analytics Research Group; Dr. Robert Vigil of Analysis Group, Inc.; Stephen Holzen of Stout Risius Ross, Inc.; Krista Holt of GreatBridge Consulting, Inc.; and moderator Raymond Van Dyke, LES Washington, D.C. Chapter Chair and Founder of Van Dyke Law.  

The event was attended by LES President, Brian O'Shaughnessy, and supported by members of the LES Washington, D.C. Chapter Advisory Council: Jennifer Vanderhart, Dan Bucca, and Thomas Wiseman.

Raymond Van Dyke, Hon. Paul Michel, Jennifer Vanderhart, Dan Bucca, Thomas Wiseman, Brian O'Shaughnessy

The panel spoke on various damages topics and engaged in a dynamic roundtable discussion that encouraged and included considerable attendee participation.  In addition to recent developments in design patent damages and extraterritoriality, the panel addressed continuing developments in apportionment, the entire market value rule, and other issues. 

The session also discussed the application of the "Book of Wisdom," as well as the use of econometrics, citation data and survey evidence in damages calculations.  Dr. Vanderhart introduced the audience to econometrics terms such as multicollinearity and heteroskedasticity.

Jennifer Vanderhart

Judge Michel spoke about the ongoing assault on the patent system and the influences of lobbyists on our legislators, who are overwhelmed and somewhat confused by patent reform and unfamiliar with the unintended consequences of the America Invents Act of 2011 (AIA).  

Another serious side effect from the AIA is the devaluation of patents and the undermining of startup companies relying on their intellectual property.  Judge Michel encouraged the audience members to become advocates and do what they can to keep the patent system from further deteriorating.

Podium: Krista Holt
Panel: Ryan Morris, Robert Vigil, Jennifer Vanderhart, Steven Holzen

The D.C. Chapter thanks the speakers, the attendees, and the event host, Sidley & Austin, for their involvement and support of this event and the LES Washington, D.C. Chapter.