PTC CONFERENCES

The Conference section of the Website of the

Patent, Trademark and Copyright Research Foundation

(For details of the Foundation, see PTC Research.)

This website is designed for the purpose of holding conferences and debates online on a series of topics involving Intellectual Property.

The conferences are in similar form to live conferences, in that there will be "platform speakers" who give a paper on a given subject, together with an opportunity for questions and discussion. The main differences are, first, that physical attendance - with all the inconveniences of travel and accommodation - is obviated; second, that papers are posted on the website; third, that the conference proceedings may be spread over a month or more; fourth, that the opportunities for submitting questions and comments (by email) are almost unlimited; and, fifth, that participation is free.

The following conferences are planned and details will be posted on this section of the website in due course:

"Employees' Inventions"

"Paying for Patents and for their Enforcement"

"Is the TRIPS Agreement Working?"

"Is Copyright inimical to the Internet Culture?"

Debates are also planned: these will be more informal and will be for the purpose of airing views without individual commitment or profound research. One proposed subject for debate is:

"How far does intellectual property serve the interests of the consumer?"