Jeffery Duncan Featured in Life Science Leader

August 17, 2012

Jeffery Duncan, vice president of intellectual property for Elevance, was recently featured in Life Science Leader in an article about why and how companies should reassess and adapt their patent strategies in light of changes resulting from the America Invents Act that will take final effect next March.

Duncan’s article discusses the amendments to Section 102 under the American Invents Act that dramatically change long-standing provisions concerning the principles of novelty and prior art. The amended Section 102 adopts a first-inventor-to-file approach commonly found outside of the U.S., thus departing from the first-to-invent patent system that has been unique to the United States. Duncan’s article discusses the changes to Section 102 and the course of action that life science companies should take to be prepared for them.

“The America Invents Act spells big changes in U.S. patent law. Those life science companies that depend on protecting their research and their intellectual property for the success of their business, should study it and adapt their patenting strategies accordingly — or risk losing valuable patent rights,” said Duncan.

For more information on Jeffery Duncan’s article, please visit http://www.bioresearchonline.com/doc.mvc/why-life-sciences-needs-reassess-their-us-patent-strategies-0001