The TIPG is pleased to welcome Alfred Macchione, Matt Zischka and Fraser Rowand, members of AIPPI Canada Council, who will discuss contentious issues of patent harmonization, including issues recently studied by AIPPI. Topics to be discussed include grace period, publication of applications, conflicting applications, prior user rights and prior art, Canada’s role in the “Group B+” organization at WIPO and the newly-formed Sub-Group B+ tasked with harmonization.
Alfred Macchione is a partner in McCarthy Tetrault’s Technology, Communications and Intellectual Property Group in Toronto. He holds a Master’s degree in engineering and graduated from the McGill Faculty of Law in 1986. He was called to the bars of Ontario and Québec and is a registered patent and trade-mark agent. Alfred is involved in all aspects of the clearance, acquisition, enforcement and exploitation of patents, trade-marks, copyright, designs and other forms of intellectual property, with special emphasis on high technology.
He is the President of the Canadian National Group of AIPPI and is international Co-Chair of the IT and Internet Standing Committee of AIPPI.
Matt Zischka is a patent agent, lawyer, and partner in the Toronto Office of Smart & Biggar. He holds electrical engineering and law degrees, and has been active in the IP field since 1992. He has a largely direct client patent drafting, prosecution and advisory practice, and also provides licensing, due diligence, and litigation support services.
Matt has been active in AIPPI since 2003. He is now a member of AIPPI Council; current chair of the IPIC Patent Legislation Committee; and is a frequent lecturer/speaker on topics of patent law and policy.
Fraser Rowand is a partner and founder of IP boutique Rowand LLP, which specializes in creating and growing patent and trademark portfolios for Canadian clients ranging from small start-ups to large multinationals. Fraser is a lawyer, patent agent, trademark agent, and Certified Specialist in Intellectual Property (Patents). His practice is primarily focused on protecting high-tech innovation, in particular relating to software-implemented technology.
Fraser has been active in patent harmonization studies in AIPPI for over a decade. He currently serves as a director of the Canadian Council and member of the international Standing Committee on Patents.