Shaker Library Session: October 30, 2017 INTRODUCTION TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

The Introductory course on IP (Intellectual Property) or SCORE will cover the basics of Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights: what they are, what value they can bring, when and why they should be used, which is appropriate, etc. The course will give an insider's view of the relevance of intellectual property for individuals and businesses. The Q&A session will assure that it is tailored to the audience and that it covers whichever relevant area they wish to know about in more detail. 

Our speaker, Dr. Atossa Alavi is In-house Counsel at AlphaMicron, Inc., a leading liquid crystal technology company in Kent, Ohio, and an adjunct faculty member at Case Western Reserve University's School of Law.

Her primary responsibility at AlphaMicron is to create and implement an IP portfolio for the protection of the company's patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights. She is also tasked with protection and enforcement of the IP in AlphaMicron's internal and licensed products. Her responsibilities include working with internal and external groups for creation of relevant world-wide patent and trademark portfolios; determining and developing a protection strategy for the trade secret inventory; protecting copyright and trademarks in printed and web-based material; identifying and obtaining freedom to operate opinions; managing the enforcement through contracts and litigation; developing an employee IP education and training program; and drafting and negotiating licensing, joint development, and supply agreements.

As an adjunct faculty, she has taught Intellectual Property Business and Strategic Planning, Patent Prosecution, and a Patent Bar Review Course.

Dr. Alavi started her legal career as an associate with Jones Day and later joined the IP team at Calfee, Halter & Griswold, Cleveland, Ohio. She started her professional career as an endodontist and oral surgeon in the UK, holding Bachelor of Dental Science and Master of Science degrees. She continued her education conducting biomedical research in both the UK and US, and has a Master of Philosophy in Neuroscience from University College London, UK. She received her JD, magna cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University Law School in 2003.