FICPI Focus 45

This Focus 45 session provides the critical context needed to ensure the future of IP looks nothing like the "good old days." For International Women’s Week 2026, join FICPI Australia Secretary Ronelle Geldenhuys for a provocative and data-driven exploration of the professional landscape for women in intellectual property. While nostalgia often paints a rosy picture of the "good old days," the reality for women in the profession has historically been one of systemic invisibility and distinct barriers. This webinar will consider generational experiences and perspectives, and question whether the "slightly better" conditions of today are enough, or if the profession is simply trading old obstacles for new, more subtle ones. The session features an expert panel with Professor Jessica Lai (Victoria University of Wellington) and Maryam Khajeh Tabari (Chrysiliou IP/University of Technology Sydney). Drawing on their extensive multi-year research collaboration across Australia and New Zealand, the panel will move beyond anecdotes to present hard-hitting findings from their recent publications. From the "burden on senior women" and the impact of self-group distancing to the persistent presumptions made by clients and colleagues alike, this discussion offers a rare, evidence-based look at how gender shapes the IP career trajectory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrating hosting 45 episodes of FICPI Focus 45, long-time FICPI 45 host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, will be in conversation with our new Eastern timezone host, Ronelle Geldenhuys.  They will look at the human connection in professional services, and why relationships (not just technical excellence) are often the difference between good work and great work. They'll unpack the practical value of building strong client relationships, why different clients need different connection styles, and how human connection benefits us all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louis-Pierre Gravelle (Partner at Dipchand LLP in Canada and Vice President of FICPI's Practice Management Committee) is joined by Marc Levieils (Managing Partner - REGIMBEAU, France) to deep dive into the specific standards applicable to IP, especially ISO 56005. How can innovation and IP standards be an opportunity for both our clients and our practice? Challenges and future of the ISO 56000 standard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will review ISO 56005 Innovation management with Johan Claire, CEO of Innovation Way. A general overview of the applicable standards in innovation to better understand their challenges and their benefits for both our client and our practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will consider how AI makes spreadsheets smarter with Dr Niti Dewan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will discuss what is needed to be an IP strategist for our clients with Kate Wilson, Donna Patane and Denise Hodge. Intellectual property practitioners do more than simply file a trade mark application or draft a patent specification. Clients often need guidance regarding what registered IP can (and can’t) do for them; where, when and how best to spend their IP budget on registered rights; and what types of IP protection they should be focusing on to best support their commercial strategies. Good attorneys and lawyers must be commercially minded in order to support their clients in the best possible way. This webinar will touch on what is needed to be an IP strategist for our clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will discuss IP Insurance with Jean-Nicolas Longchamp and representatives from AON. The topic of IP litigation insurance also forms the basis of the World Congress Workshop "Understanding IP litigation insurance without the headache". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will discuss Copyrights with Miriam Lord, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public and Education at the US Copyright Office. She will provide an update from the Office, covering priorities and initiatives including the intersection between AI and copyright.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Host, will celebrate Women and Girls in Science with Dr. Claire Gregg, Dr. Neeti Wilson, Dr. Renate Weisse, Dr. Alicia Alvarez and Dr. Mariana Bullrich. To celebrate 2025's International Day of Women and Girls in Science, FICPI's DEIA committee invited FICPI women members who are active in science fields to share how they journeyed from academic studies in areas from biochemistry to physics, to enter the intellectual property profession. This webinar also honours Women’s History Month in March, the theme of which is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations”. International Women’s Day takes place on 8th March, “celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.” Our members' stories are inspirational and we shared highlights in a FICPI article and on LinkedIn. We are delighted that they can share their stories with you in more detail in this webinar and answer any queries you may have.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator, will be discussing IP and Sustainable Development Goals with Heather Galloway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, FICPI and ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law are delighted to welcome James Pooley, former Deputy Director General of WIPO, will discuss "Secrecy and Taylor Swift: What Conspiracy Theories Reveal About Our Growing Distrust of Institutions" with FICPI Focus 45 moderator Louis-Pierre Gravelle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus-45 Moderator, discusses IP in Music with Iain Russell Iain is an entrepreneurial patent attorney, specialising in high tech (especially telecommunications) patent work. He literally wrote the book on passing the UK patent drafting exam and runs a training programme for that. Iain also runs a training programme for the European patent drafting exam. In total, he's helped 800+ trainee patent attorneys to pass their patent drafting exams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session FICPI Focus 45 moderator Louis-Pierre Gravelle will discuss the  Progress in 101 Reform: The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 (PERA) with David J. Kappos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus-45 Moderator, discusses autism awareness with Bhupinder Randhawa. Bhupinder Randhawa is an internationally recognised patent and technology lawyer. He is the leader of the firm’s Engineering & Technology practice group and co-leader of the Artificial Intelligence practice group. Bhupinder’s practice focuses on patent and technology law, particularly obtaining and monetizing intellectual property rights for technology clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session FICPI Focus 45 moderator Louis-Pierre Gravelle discusses the “Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercises of March-in Rights” under the Bayh-Dole Act with former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Judge Paul Michel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Benjamin Beck. Benjamin helps clients with technology and data disputes, in particular involving patents, trade secrets and licensing. In this session, Louis-Pierre and Benjamin discuss the use of AI-tools in law firm operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Sharon Crane, FICPI Deputy Secretary General and co-Chair of DEIA, is in discussion with Winifred Neisser. In recognition of Black History Month in North America, FICPI Focus-45 and FICPI’s DEIA committee are thrilled to be in conversation with Winifred Neisser, Executive Director of the Angel City Chorale (semi-finalists in America’s Got Talent!) and former TV executive.  Winifred will recount the story of her mother, Winifred Parker, and her sister, Frieda, who as black enrolees at Purdue University in 1946-47, were denied on-campus housing. The Parker sisters fought all the way to the Indiana governor for the right to live on campus in previously segregated dorms at Purdue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus-45 Moderator, discusses CFIUS with Ed Lebow of Haynes Boone. Ed Lebow heads the international trade practice in the Washington, DC office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. Ed is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and has been representing clients in international trade cases for more than 40 years. Prior to private practice, Ed served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S. International Trade Commission. He has guided both foreign buyers and domestic sellers of companies with sensitive technologies through the inter-agency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Ed also deals with OFAC sanctions, export controls and antidumping and countervailing duty cases. In addition, he has represented both U.S. and foreign clients before Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Louis-Pierre Gravelle our Focus 45 Moderator will host an AI session with ChatGPT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian edition of the Focus 45 webinar series, Louis-Pierre Gravelle will be discussing Patentable Subject Matter with panellists: Alyssa Telfer, Principal at Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, Matt Pini, Principal at Pini IP and Ronelle Geldenhuys, Principal at Foundry Intellectual Property Our panel of practitioners will dissect the nuances of this issue, providing insights into (and condolences and commiserations about) the current practice in Australia and its implications for applicants and attorneys, both locally and abroad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of the Focus 45 webinar series, Louis-Pierre Gravelle will be discussing Lawyering While Human with Mike Kasdan. Mike Kasdan is founder of Lawyering While Human, an organisation dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness within the legal profession - encompassing both law firms and law schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In September 2023 the women in IP down under made waves with the publication of a new research paper that describes the experiences of women in the IP industry. Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, will look at some of the findings in the paper, and the panellists will talk about related issues including why women’s experiences are different to those of men’s, what they have experienced in their working environments, and recommendations for both employers and employees at IP firms. The panellists are Madeleine Kelly, a patent attorney, partner and board member of the independent Australian and New Zealand IP firm FB Rice. Maryam Khajeh Tabari, a Principal Patent and Trade Marks Attorney at Chrysiliou IP and the lead lecturer for the patent practice subjects at the University of Technology Sydney. And, Ronelle Geldenhuys, a patent attorney and principal at Foundry IP. She is a co-chair and founding member of the Australia and New Zealand chapter of ChIPs, an international not for profit organisation with a mission of advancing and connecting women in technology, law and policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session Sharon Deal will discuss Emotional Intelligence, Authenticity and Wellbeing in an IP firm working environment with Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator. Bastiaan Koster, managing partner at Von Seidels IP Attorneys, will also join to give feedback on experiences in his firm on Emotional Intelligence, Authenticity and Wellbeing initiatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Norman K. Clark, Managing Principal of Walker Clark discusses profit generation with Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator. Walker Clark works exclusively with the legal profession, and helps law firms to identify and capture the "low hanging fruit" in their internal operations, to make smarter investments in their people, and to build long-term sustainable profitability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator will discuss Golf IP with Michael J. Kline of Roger Cleveland Golf Company and Roberto Pistolesi, FICPI President and golf aficionado. Roberto Pistolesi will further explore the world of IP and Golf with the help of an outstanding speaker from the golf industry: Michael J. Kline, Senior Corporate Counsel, Director of Intellectual Property and Corporate Secretary at Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. If you’d like to view the presentation that is being referred to in this podcast, simply click ficpi.link/golf to access for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, PETOŠEVIĆ GROUP Chairman and CEO Slobodan Petošević, and Yuriy Karlash, Taras Manolov and Olga Kudoyar of PETOŠEVIĆ Ukraine will discuss life, work and IP protection in Ukraine since the invasion with Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 moderator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator hears how students at Pennington, an independent school in New Jersey, USA, have been applying their STEM skills to improve the lives of refugees living in Malawi, Africa. Their work began in 2018 with the refurbishing of iPads and has since grown many times over. During this Webinar, the teacher and three students will describe how they became connected to the refugee camp and share two of their current inventions: a hybrid sanitary napkin (wissppad.org) and a water filtration sink. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator will discuss Gender and Equity – WIPO’s focus on inclusivity and closing the gender gap in IP and technology with Deputy Director General Lisa Jorgenson of WIPO. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Michael Evans to discuss business development for IP firms.  Michael works together with attorneys, IP firms & departments around the world to help them realise their business development goals. He has specialised in delivering business opportunities in the IP legal field with both clients and associates around the world since 2003. He has a proven track record in international sales, account management, and BD, as well as strong client-facing skills. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Reshika Dhir, Partner at Bereskin & Parr in Canada will discuss the Benjamin Moore v. AG of Canada 2022 case with Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator. The Benjamin Moore case turns on patentable subject-matter, and the framework adopted by the Canadian IP Office in construing the claims to make this determination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for this special FICPI Focus 45 podcast where Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, will introduce our Commission and Committee Presidents who will then talk about the work of their group and how to get involved. Ms. Elia Sugrañes, Secretary General, will also introduce the work of the FICPI Secretariat. Admissions: Francesco Paolo Vatti Communications & Nominating: Julian Crump Study & Work (CET): Robert Watson Practice Management (PMC): Anne Levy Membership: Paula Sailas EUCOF: Daniel Alge Statutes: Jurgen Schmidtchen Training & Education (TEC): Eric Le Forestier DEIA: Sharon Crane Finance Advisory Board (FAB): Philip Mendes da Costa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Brad Watts to discuss The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2022. The new bill is an effort to clarify the metes and bounds of subject matter eligibility in the US in view of the Mayo, Myriad, and Alice cases dealing with 35 U.S.C. 101 that were decided by the Supreme Court over the last decade. FICPI has been actively involved in these stakeholder discussions. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, our Focus 45 Moderator will discuss female inventors and encouraging women to become innovators with Dr. Renate Weisse.  Renate is author of a book about female inventors, a German and European Patent Attorney and holds a PhD in Engineering. She acts as a role model to promote STEM subjects and her profession to women. In the book Renate discusses why there are so few female inventors in Germany (only around 6%) and what can be done to change this.  Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by James Pooley, the former Deputy Director General of WIPO. Mr. Pooley’s storied career mirrors the development and innovation of Silicon Valley. He began in Palo Alto in 1973 trying commercial cases, primarily fights between startups over proprietary technology. Ten years later, he wrote his first business book, “Trade Secrets.” In 1997 he introduced his legal treatise by the same name, which has become part of the IP canon and a vital desk reference for practitioners. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Roberto Pistolesi, FICPI Secretary General, and CEO and Partner of Dragotti & Associati in Italy. Roberto and Louis-Pierre discuss: Why is golf the number 1 sport for patents? When did inventors (or alleged inventors) start filing golf-related patent applications? What happened to NIKE’s patent portfolio and why are golf-related patents frequently litigated? Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Marek Lazewski. They talk about automation within firms, working remotely, office space, productivity and digital nomads. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Malgorzata “Gosia” Gruzlewska. Gosia provides useful information and discussions on the EUIPO's Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels - a programme aimed at involving users in the quality management of the Office decisions in order to bridge the gap between the users' perception of quality and the internal quality measurement results. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Louis Lagler of Rentsch & Partner’s favoured tech and top tips including products such as Remarkable for taking notes, Synology for data storage, mobile access points, VPNs, and the benefits of having multiple cameras and an external microphone. He also covers why the size of ears can be important, whether you should look at bone-transmission devices, and tech for swimmers. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Edward Kwakwa - Legal Counsel at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. They discuss the IGC and the IP issues surrounding traditional knowledge, cultural expressions and genetic resources. Topics include Disney and the impact of social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Andrew Hirschfeld, Director of the USPTO. Today, we discuss policy, procedure and initiatives within all parts of the USPTO, including the implementation of the Deferred Subject Matter Eligibility Response Pilot Program, and the office’s participation in the Council for Inclusive Innovation for developing its National Innovation Strategy.  He will address current trends in patent quality, the effect of the pandemic on teleworking, patent and trademark filings and the modernization of IT systems including the use of AI in office operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Paul Redmond Michel - a retired United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and a former Chief Judge of that court. They'll be discussing the notion of patentable subject matter and Section 101 of the United States legislation on patents. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Marcus "eSports" Howard. The discuss NFT's in the eSports world. Later in the podcast, we also take questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Paul Horbal from Bereskin & Parr LLP. They discuss NFTs - what's the buzz all about, how do they work and what are the IP implications? Later in the podcast, we will also be taking questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Caitlin Kraft Buchman, Founder and CEO of Women at the Table. Later in the podcast, we will also be taking questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our host, Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a registered patent agent and partner at Bereskin & Parr in Montreal Canada, is joined by Davide Schiavetti from Rothwell Figg in Washington. They’ll be discussing the intersection between IP and fashion law.  Later in the podcast, we will also be taking questions from our listeners who joined the live webinar as it was recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices