Some of the most significant recent changes in markets for intellectual property have occurred through the emergence of new business models involving the buying, selling and licensing of patents. The April 17 hearing also will showcase some of the recent academic scholarship about the development and functioning of markets for intellectual property and the policy implications surrounding them. James E. Malackowski, President and CEO of Ocean Tomo, will deliver the keynote address. An agenda for the hearings is available on the Web site for the hearings and as a link to this press release.

These hearings are part of an ongoing series of public hearings examining changes in patent law, patent-related business models, and new learning about the operation of the IP marketplace since the October 2003 Commission report on the patent system, “To Promote Innovation: The Proper Balance of Competition and Patent Law and Policy.” The Commission held the initial hearing in the series on December 5, 2008, and held hearings on remedies February 11 and 12, 2009. The Commission is holding hearings on March 18-19, 2009, covering the operation of patent markets, with an emphasis on the notice functions of patents. The Commission will hold its last hearing in the series on May 4-5, 2009, in Berkeley, California, in cooperation with the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology.

The Commission is seeking public comments on all issues to be discussed throughout the entire series of these hearings, and in response to any of the topics raised in the Federal Register notice announcing the hearings on the Evolving IP Marketplace. Comments must be received by May 15, 2009, and should refer to “Evolving IP Marketplace – P093900.” The Federal Register notice and information on how to submit written and electronic comments to the Commission are available at the Web site for the hearings, http://www.ftc.gov/bc/workshops/ipmarketplace.

The FTC’s hearings on the Evolving IP Marketplace are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. All attendees must present a valid photo ID for admission to the agency’s Satellite building, which is located at 601 New Jersey Ave., NW. The hearings will be accessible to people with disabilities. Anyone needing a related accommodation should contact Carrie McGlothlin at the FTC at 202-326-3388 or cmcglothlin@ftc.gov. Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodations needed and contact information if more information is needed. Please provide advance notice of accommodation needs.

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Peter Kaplan,
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2334
STAFF CONTACT:
Erika Meyers,
Bureau of Competition
202-326-2541
(FYI 13. 2009.wpd)

Event Takes Place Wednesday, March 25, 2009, in Seattle

The Federal Trade Commission and the Technology Law and Public Policy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law will host a conference on the use of digital rights management technologies, a widespread practice that is expected to become increasingly prevalent in the U.S. marketplace in the coming years.

Digital rights management (DRM) refers to technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content. Among other issues, the workshop will address the need to improve disclosures to consumers about DRM limitations.

The Commission invites interested parties to submit requests to be panelists and to recommend other topics for discussion. The requests should be submitted electronically to drmtownhall@ftc.gov by January 30, 2009. Interested parties should include both a statement detailing their expertise on the issues to be addressed at the Town Hall, and complete contact information. The Commission will select panelists based on their expertise and on the need to represent a range of views.

Interested parties may submit written comments or original research until January 30, 2009. Comments should refer to “DRM Town Hall – Comment, Project No. P094502.” To file electronically, follow the instructions and fill out the form at https://secure.commentworks.com/ftc-DRMtechnologies. Paper comments should include this reference both in the text and on the envelope, and should be mailed or delivered to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex A), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Comments containing confidential material, however, must be filed in paper form, must be clearly labeled “Confidential,” and must comply with Commission Rule 4.9(c). The FTC is requesting that any paper comments be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because postal mail in the Washington area and the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions.

The Town Hall is free, and open to the university community and all members of the public. Pre-registration is not required. Members of the public and press who wish to participate but who cannot attend can view a live webcast on the FTC’s Web site.

Information about accessibility for persons with disabilities on the UW campus is available at https://www.washington.edu/admin/ada/newada.php. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests should be submitted via e-mail to cmcglothlin@ftc.gov or by calling Carrie McGlothlin at 202-326-3388. Requests should be made in advance. Please include a detailed description of the accommodation needed, and provide contact information.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,500 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

(DRM FYI.wpd)