Ann Fort and Robert Kohse of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP to Speak at Knowledge Congress' Live Webcast

New York, NY, June 13, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The Knowledge Group/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, the leading producer of regulatory focused webcasts, has announced today that attorneys Ann Fort and Robert Kohse of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP will discuss “How to Effectively Deal with NPE Patent Litigation” during a Knowledge Congress Live Webcast on June 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET).

For further details and an updated list of speakers, please visit:
https://theknowledgegroup.org/all-events-list/live-webcasts/event-homepage/?event_id=1597

Event Summary

Patents incentivize invention and creativity, support commercialization, and allow innovators and inventors to protect their investments. As patents have become a necessity to support commercialization, a new class of patent owners, referred to as non-practicing entities (NPEs) or pejoratively called “patent trolls,” has emerged. These NPEs are formed for the sole purpose of acquiring and asserting patents. Hardly a threat initially, nowadays lawsuits brought by NPEs account for more than 60% of all patent litigation. These lawsuits present challenges not present in patent litigation between competitors, because the parties do not face parallel risks from the process.

In this two-hour Live Webcast, a panel of key thought leaders and professionals assembled by The Knowledge Group will discuss specialized defense strategies and tools for handling NPE litigation, and recent developments, trends and challenges related to NPEs in patent litigation.

Key topics include:

§ Non-Practicing Entities: An Overview
§ How to Define an NPE
§ NPE Proofing
§ NPE Patent Litigation: Background and Trends
§ Minimizing the Threats of NPE Patent Litigation
§ Impact of Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank and other U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
§ Best Strategies for Responding to NPE Lawsuits
§ Other Defense Tools

About Ann Fort

Ann Fort protects the IP rights of clients in the U.S. and abroad. A seasoned litigator, her practice encompasses patent infringement, licensing disputes, trade secret protection and unfair competition. She tries cases in both federal and state courts and represents clients in alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation. Her recent experiences include defending claims brought by non-practicing entities. Ann has handled cases involving financial institution software products, Internet-based information management systems, wireless data transmission systems, automated materials handling systems, ground fault circuit interrupters, power management unit chips, interactive television program guides, computer network security protection systems, and medical information systems.

An active leader in Sutherland’s pro bono program, Ann’s public service work includes serving on the board for the Federal Circuit Bar Association PTO Pro Bono Committee, the Southern Center for Human Rights, TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, and the Women in Technology Foundation.

About Robert Kohse

Rob Kohse represents technology sector clients in patent litigation and counseling matters. Rob advises clients in patent litigation involving electrical devices and wireless networks, as well as computer software and business methods. He represents clients in the consumer electronics, medical device, banking, telecommunications, and software industries. In support of patent litigation, Rob conducts pre-filing investigation activity, and fact and expert discovery; prepares claim construction, summary judgment and judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) briefs; takes and defends depositions of experts and non-experts; and presents oral argument in court. Rob is admitted to the Georgia and New York bars and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

About Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

Sutherland is an international legal service provider helping the world’s largest companies, industry leaders, sector innovators and business entrepreneurs solve their biggest challenges and reach their business goals. More than 400 lawyers across seven major practice areas—corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and tax—provide the framework for an extensive range of focus areas. Sutherland is composed of associated legal practices that are separate entities, doing business in the United States as Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, and as Sutherland (Europe) LLP in London and Geneva. Sutherland (Europe) LLP is a limited liability partnership and is registered in England and Wales with registered number OC348198. Its registered office is at Marble Quay, St. Katharine Docks, London E1W 1UH. Sutherland (Europe) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales whose regulatory requirements can be accessed at http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page. A list of the members of Sutherland (Europe) LLP and their professional qualifications is open to inspection at its registered office.

About The Knowledge Group, LLC/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series

The Knowledge Congress is a series of live webcasts produced by The Knowledge Group, LLC, which examine trends, regulatory, and technology changes across a variety of industries. Its mission is to produce unbiased, objective, and educational live webcasts that examine industry trends and regulatory changes from a variety of different perspectives. The goal is to deliver a unique multilevel analysis of an important issue affecting business in a highly focused format.