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Presentation Intro

The schedule of an ABC meeting is designed to educate and inform in the morning and build connection between attendees while taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Nashville in the afternoon and evenings.  

FICPI ABC Conferences are meetings of the U.S. (“A”), UK/British (“B”), and Canadian (“C”) National Groups of FICPI. The joint ABC conference is not limited to FICPI members from the U.S., UK, and Canada, but is open to all FICPI members, non-members and, of course, accompanying persons. 

Event Title FICPI ABC Meeting - Nashville 2026
Session: Day 1
Session 1: Designs - Recent developments and strategies

This session brings together experienced design attorneys from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to explore the latest developments in design law, emerging examination trends, and evolving protection strategies.

Discover how recent changes are influencing filing practices, enforcement approaches, and cross-border coordination—and learn how to stay ahead of the curve.

Moderator: Rob S. Katz, Banner & Witcoff (US) // Speakers: Chris Cottingham, Hindles (UK) & Matthew Powell, Dickinson Wright (CA)
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Session 2: Rock and roll law with Jim Jesse

The greatest hits of All That You Need to Know About Music Law and more.  

Learn legal issues of copyright law, like authorship and infringement, within the context of iconic bands such as Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.  Learn about which songs were the subject of copyright lawsuits and how the matters ended up. A fun and exciting session to learn about copyright legal issues and get a music history lesson at the same time.

Jim Jesse is one of the preeminent music law experts in the country. He teaches music copyright law to lawyers as Rock n Roll Law. He is the author of The Music Copyright Manual (3rd edition) and The Musician’s Guide to Music Copyright Law (2nd edition). He is also a songwriter who has released four albums.

For more CLE offered by Jim Jesse, please see www.rocknrolllaw.com

Speaker: Jim Jesse
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Session: Day 2
Session 3: Patents - Recent developments and strategies

Patent law is evolving at an unprecedented pace.

In this dynamic session, leading practitioners from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. will unpack the most significant developments of the past two years—from shifting patent office practices to key case law trends shaping prosecution and enforcement strategies.

Gain practical insights into what’s changing, what’s coming next, and how to position your clients for success in a rapidly transforming global landscape.

Panellists: C. Gregory Gramenopoulos, Finnegan (US) & Dr. Serge Shahinian, Lavery (CA)
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Session 4: Firm management - How to best work with international counsel

Strong international partnerships are critical to delivering seamless global IP protection.

This interactive session explores best practices for building productive, efficient, and mutually beneficial relationships with foreign associates.

Learn how to improve communication, align expectations, manage costs, address difficult issues, and create long-term collaborations that enhance client service and firm performance across borders.

Panellists: Dr. MaryAnne Armstrong, BSKB (US) & Doug Deeth, DWW (CA)
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Session: Day 3
Session 5: Trademarks - Recent developments and strategies

From evolving examination standards to emerging enforcement challenges, trademark practice continues to shift across jurisdictions.

Join leading trademark attorneys from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. as they highlight the most impactful developments of the past two years.

This session will deliver practical, forward-looking strategies to help practitioners navigate office practices, manage risk, and maximize brand protection in today’s fast-moving marketplace.

Panellists: Anna L. King, Banner & Witcoff (US), Michael Conway, Birketts (UK) & Dave Bowden, Clark Wilson (US)
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Session 6: AI in Patent Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the Iegal services field.  

This session will provide an insightful discussion on how AI tools are being used to support patent and other IP practices.

The panel will explore current AI capabilities, real-world use cases, and integration with law firm systems.

The panel will also address data security and confidentiality considerations, and what patent professionals can expect as these tools continue to evolve. Demos of the latest AI features and capabilities will also be shared.

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