Ipendo’s Karin Kärvling Söholt discussed the Ipendo road map for change and the Ipendo team demonstrated how to use the many new features including Reference Archive & IDS Management – now allowing users to automatically generate Invention Disclosure Statements for USPTO filings – and the Data Transfer Center, with the added option(s) to transfer via Excel spreadsheet data to and from other software applications.

This year’s Forum was sponsored by Birch Stewart Kolasch Birch (BSKB), with Leonard Svensson, a Partner in the firm, delivering a dynamic and informative presentation previewing changes to expect in the U.S. when the long-anticipated Patent Reform becomes law. For example, changing from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system as well as changes to post-grant review.

Ipendo users heard about the implementation of an intellectual asset management tool from Ivy Glezos, Global Project Director IP Integration for ASSA ABLOY, who spoke about how she is working with over 140 subsidiaries to integrate the use of the Ipendo Platform™ to streamline the management of intellectual assets in a company that is complex and highly decentralized.

Paige Anderson, Associate General Counsel and head of IP practice for Electrolux North America, outlined how Electrolux is using the Ipendo Platform™ to manage its trademark clearance process and intellectual asset portfolio. Ms. Anderson shared information relating to the extensive use of the Categorizations feature of the Ipendo Platform™. She also discussed the transition of Electrolux’s portfolio to the Ipendo Platform™ for Maintenance services. Susan Krelitz of Ipendo discussed Moving from Docketing to Intellectual Asset Management, pointing out specific Ipendo Platform™ features that are used in each of the five stages of managing an intellectual asset portfolio. One of the tips she offered was to rate your company’s portfolio at various stages in the lifecycle of its IPRs, taking advantage of the Ipendo Notification System to trigger reminders to do so.

The event highlight – as with each Ipendo User Forum – came when the Ipendo User of the Year Award was presented by Karin Kärvling Söholt to Maxwell Technologies. A surprised Robin Kirchoff, IP Specialist at Maxwell Technologies, accepted the award on behalf of the company, commenting, “Really, I thought I was your biggest pain!” Ipendo presents the award each year in the U.S. and in Europe to the User who works toward making the transition from docketing to intellectual asset management by employing all aspects of the Ipendo Platform™.

Robin Kirchoff, IP Specialist at Maxwell technologies Inc., accepting the Ipendo 2011 User Award US from Karin Kärvling Söholt and Helene Vik.

Day two of the Forum featured intensive workshops led by Ipendo’s expert team, providing user coaching on specific applications of the Ipendo Platform™. The Ipendo team conducted two sessions on Ipendo basics and covered Brand Management utilizing the Ipendo Platform™. One session focused on the advanced Forecast Lab feature that offers users budgeting, country and filing strategy as well as cost forecasting features.