The Connect, Share & Grow webinar series is a wonderful example of how effectively FICPI and its global community adapted to the constraints of the pandemic to deliver on the promise to help members be more productive.
FICPI’s biggest ever learning initiative delivered via digital technology began with an event on September 30th, 2020, focused on “Subject Matter Eligibility” and wrapped up on May 12th 2021 with the 15th presentation.

The final event features yet another thought-provoking topic, “Simulations and Virtual Reality – what constitutes patent-eligible subject matter?”, moderated and presented by three members of FICPI’s Study & Work Group CET 6; Brett Slaney, Chair of FICPI's Study & Work Group CET 6: Software, High-Tech, & Computer Related Issues and Patent Agent and Founding Partner at CPST Intellectual Property in Canada; Jennifer B. Maisel, a member of CET 6 and a Partner at Rothwell Figg Ernst & Manbeck in the USA; and Pete Sadler, a member of CET 6 and a Partner at Reddie & Grose in the UK. Book your place today

The participation numbers for the series are impressive, with a total attendance of more than 500.

Many members attended most of the events, with a special mention to FICPI member Louis-Pierre Gravelle, a partner at the firm Bereskin & Parr in Canada, who topped the attendance table with 12 events.

The Connect, Share & Grow learning initiative was conceived by two key FICPI groups, the Study & Work Committee (known by its French acronym, CET) and the Professional Excellence Committee (PEC), as a response to the safety and travel restrictions during the pandemic that led to the cancellation of all in-person meetings.

The hard-working FICPI members who led the project (and helped deliver that first webinar back in September) are Sharon Crane, a partner at the US firm of Rothwell Figg and chair of CET 5, and Swarup Kumar, a partner at the Indian firm Remfry & Sagar and chair of CET 7.

While many people deserve kudos for the successful delivery of the series, a special mention goes to the presenters and moderators who so willingly shared their insights and expertise.

The learning value of the 15 webinars to FICPI’s members and other IP professionals will endure - all the presentations are available on FICPI’s website.

FICPI’s view and involvement 

The FICPI community is built on trusted, global relationships which can be developed on a one-to-one basis for professional or social reasons, for networking, and for sharing information through events such as the webinar series. The worldwide reach of FICPI's qualified IP attorney members brings insights and counsel from a wide external perspective. 

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