UC Hastings Hosts Symposium About Gene Patenting Featuring Chief Judge Alex Kozinski

On February 20, 2013, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly will present "Patent Pending," the journal's annual panel discussion on controversial constitutional law issues. "Patent Pending" is graciously co-sponsored by Morrison & Foerster LLP. The event will be recorded and made available after February 20.

In less than two months, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, a case that hinges on whether human genes constitute patentable material. The symposium encourages discussion and debate and will educate attendees about this topic from legal, social, political and bioethical viewpoints.

The Court's ruling will have a significant impact on how biotechnology companies allocate resources and influence the ability of all patent holders to enforce their rights against infringers. "Patent Pending" will expand our understanding of product patents, process patents, and how we define the human body.

The evening's discussion will be moderated by noted patent law expert Robin Feldman, professor of law and director of the Law & Bioscience Project at UC Hastings. Joining Professor Feldman on this distinguished panel will be Alex Kozinski, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Vern Norviel from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Wesley Overson and James Mullen of Morrison & Foerster, Professor David Winickoff from UC Berkeley, and Megan Allyse from Stanford University.

For those unable to attend, the event will be recorded and posted on the journal's symposium page: www.hastingsconlawquarterly.org/symposium.php.

Contact Information: Annie Moskovian, (415) 581-8957, [email protected].