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SUMMARY:A Legal Guide to Patentability Versus Freedom to Operate
DESCRIPTION:Innovators want answers to two important questions: “Can I get a patent?” and “Can I take my technology to market?” The analysis for each question is very similar\, but the difference in the question being asked that can produce different\, and sometimes surprising\, answers. \nThis HYBRID event is offered in-person at the Lobo Rainforest Building and virtually via Zoom. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. \nRegister and learn more here: https://LegalGuidetoPatentability.eventbrite.com \nAbout the Presenters:\nChristopher D. Gram\, M.S.\, J.D. \n\n\nChris is a patent attorney with 27 years of experience practicing in the areas of biotechnology\, pharmaceuticals\, immunology\, peptide and nucleic acid technologies\, regenerative medicine\, and medical devices. Prior to joining MRG\, Chris was in-house intellectual property counsel for 3M supporting 3M’s pharmaceuticals business where he had oversight of a portion of 3M’s immune response modifier (IRM) portfolio and was involved in developing best practices for preparing and prosecuting pharmaceutical patent applications. Christopher has been with MRG for 18 years and has extensive experience serving university tech transfer offices\, start-ups that have been spun out of university intellectual property\, and working with university licensees. \nKaren H. Ohlfest\, PhD\, J.D. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nKaren is a patent attorney specializing in the life sciences\, with a focus on biotechnology\, pharmaceuticals\, cellular therapeutics\, and peptide and nucleic acid technologies. Prior to joining Mueting Raasch Group\, Karen was a Technology Portfolio Manager and Intellectual Property Officer at the University of Minnesota’s Technology Commercialization office for twelve years\, and previously worked as a life science patent attorney for seven years. \n\n\n\n\nAlfoso Garcia Chan\, M.S.E.\, J.D. \nAlfonso Garcia Chan is a trial lawyer who focuses on litigating and licensing complex intellectual property cases on behalf of universities\, research institutes\, and technology companies. \nHis matters are primarily focused on semiconductors and electronic technology-intensive matters\, as well as biomaterials and medical devices. Alfonso represents plaintiffs and defendants in district courts nationwide and before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. \nHe is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and has experience in inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). His international practice includes handling matters in China\, Taiwan\, Japan\, Korea\, and Europe. \nAlfonso served as an adjunct professor of International Comparative Law at Southern Methodist University\, Dedman School of Law. Prior to practicing law\, Alfonso was an officer in the United States Navy and nuclear propulsion engineer at Naval Reactors Headquarters \nHope Shimabuku\, J.D. \nAs the Regional Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Southwest Regional Outreach Office\, Hope Shimabuku carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO\, and is responsible for leading the Southwest Office. Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community\, Ms. Shimabuku ensures the USPTO’s initiatives and programs are tailored to the region’s unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders. Ms. Shimabuku brings to the USPTO nearly three decades of experience as an engineer and intellectual property attorney. Prior to the USPTO\, Ms. Shimabuku was part of the Office of General Counsel at Xerox Corporation serving as Vice President and Corporate Counsel and also worked for BlackBerry Corporation. She has received numerous professional honors\, including being honored as Hero of Innovation by the Center for American and International Law\, Women’s Leadership Award recipient by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association\, and the Distinguished Alumni Award for Government Services by the SMU Dedman School of Law.
URL:https://innovations.unm.edu/event/a-legal-guide-to-patentability-versus-freedom-to-operate/
LOCATION:Lobo Rainforest Building\, 101 Broadway Blvd NE\, Suite 1100\, 87102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://innovations.unm.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/feature-image-the-creative-process-and-copyright.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="UNM Rainforest Innovations":MAILTO:info@innovations.unm.edu
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