McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC

On October 30th, MVS is proud to sponsor a side event at the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue titled, “The Seeds of Tomorrow: Protecting Plant Breeder Rights to Feed Tomorrow’s World.” This session will focus on the critical role of Intellectual Property (IP) in promoting food security, and brings in expert panelists from across the globe. In her latest blog post, patent attorney Shireen Bhatia reflects on the relationship between MVS and the World Food Prize, as well as her own personal experience as a Borlaug Ruan Intern.    Read more: https://lnkd.in/gT-736e5  

Registration for this year's Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association (IIPLA) Conference in Iowa City on November 15 is now open! Join MVS attorneys and IIPLA board members Lars Gunnerson, Joseph Hallman, and Andrew Morgan for a day of presentations on patents, trademarks, copyrights, IP ethics, data privacy and more. For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gA9aF6tX

Over the lunch hour today, listen to Bob Quinn of WHO 1040 AM radio interview MVS intellectual property attorney Heidi Sease Nebel. Heidi will preview an important side event at the Borlaug Dialogue titled "The Seeds of Tomorrow: Protecting Plant Breeder Rights to Feed Tomorrow's World." Tune in digitally by going to https://lnkd.in/eTnJYpVM and selecting "Listen" from the menu.

At some point in life, nearly everyone has had a great idea for an invention. Is your invention innovative? In this Filewrapper, MVS Patent Attorney Connor Williams presents tips and tricks for DIY (free) patent searching to give you an idea of whether your invention is truly "new".  Williams introduces two free patent search tools and explains how to search for same-idea inventions that others have already sought protection for. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gREQcraY

For more than a quarter century, the LEGUS International global network has helped better law firms in more than 60 jurisdictions, for over 1,500 attorneys. It is a membership organization for attorneys and their law firms that fosters information sharing and collaboration among its member firms. McKee, Voorhees & Sease intellectual property attorney and Mechanical-Electrical practice group member Kirk Hartung is a panelist at the LEGUS International fall meeting in Hawaii this week (October 17-19). Kirk will update members on recent American Bar Association (ABA) guidance concerning artificial intelligence (AI). From 2017 to 2019, Kirk served as Chair of the LEGUS International Advisory Board.

Today, McKee, Voorhees & Sease IP attorney and co-chair of the data privacy and cybersecurity practice group, Sarah Luth, attends day two of the Women Lead Change conference in Des Moines. Women Lead Change is dedicated to the development, advancement and promotion of women, their organizations, and to impacting the economy and future workforce. Since 2006, the organization has promoted itself as the state’s premier leadership organization for women. McKee, Voorhees & Sease holds a unique position in law firms across America -- half its shareholders are female. Connect with Sarah at the conference or on LinkedIn!

Save the date! The World Food Prize Foundation 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue starts in two weeks, with virtual side events taking place from October 21-25, and in-person events from October 29-31.   MVS is honored to host a side session (which can be attended free of charge to both registrants and non-registrants) with an incredible list of speakers on Wednesday, October 30th, from 6:30 - 8:30am CST. The session will focus on the critical role of Intellectual Property (IP) in promoting food security.   To learn more about the Borlaug Dialogue, the MVS side event, and how to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/giHKtTg3

We are hiring! MVS is looking for new team members to fill multiple roles, including legal assistants, foreign filing specialists, and U.S. patent specialists. Flexible work arrangements available for certain positions. Apply today at ipmvs.com/careers! As a U.S.-based employer, we are only able to consider candidates who reside within the United States and are authorized to work here.

McKee, Voorhees & Sease patent attorney and partner Lars Gunnerson will be presenting today at the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) 2024 Summit hosted by Indiana University and held in South Bend, Indiana. The 2024 UEDA Summit occurs from October 7-9 and brings together national experts from higher education, the private sector, economic development organizations, government agencies, and research centers. Lars will host a workshop on "Strategic Considerations for Design Patents in University IP Portfolios." Lars is chair of the firm's design patent practice group. Much of Lars’ practice focuses on drafting, prosecuting, and enforcing mechanical, electrical, and design patents. Stop by and chat with Lars at his workshop or connect with him on LinkedIn!

Intellectual property attorney and McKee, Voorhees & Sease managing partner Luke Mohrhauser today attends the Ag Startup Engine's Unconference at the Landus Events Center, Des Moines, IA. The firm is an event sponsor. The mission of Ag Startup Engine is to serve as the conduit between early-stage agricultural startups and investors. Unlike traditional conferences, this event brings connections to founders and investors in the ag-tech space. This year’s agenda includes a lineup of industry veterans and startup founders who will share their insight on high-tech hardware.