3rd Berkeley-Tsinghua Annual Conference

The 3rd Berkeley-Tsinghua Annual Conference, jointly organized by Tsinghua University School of Law and UC Berkeley School of Law, was held online on January 22-23 and 29-30, 2021. The conference focused on "Transnational IP Litigation at a Time of Trade Tension," bringing together professionals from the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the US Patent and Trademark Office, the US Department of Justice, Chinese and American courts, scholars from renowned universities, legal advisors, and law firm partners to discuss transnational intellectual property litigation amid trade tensions.

The conference featured four main topics: the progress and litigation of IP legislation during trade tensions, transnational litigation and licensing of Standards-Essential Patents (SEPs), developments in trade secret laws and litigation, and transnational IP litigation in the evolving international trade environment. Discussions included analyses of patent litigation data, revisions of patent laws, anti-suit injunctions in SEP litigation, trade secret litigation data, amendments to unfair competition and criminal laws concerning trade secrets, and the impact of the first-stage economic and trade agreement between China and the United States on IP protection.

Notable speakers included Raymond Chen, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals, and Professor Zhang Yuejiao of Tsinghua University, a former judge of the WTO Appellate Body. They analyzed the current state and prospects of IP protection in China and the United States, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation between high-level officials of both countries. The conference also featured in-depth discussions on topics such as anti-suit injunctions in transnational SEP litigation, trade secret litigation trends, and the impact of recent legal amendments on the pharmaceutical market.

This conference is particularly relevant for legal professionals, scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders involved in intellectual property law, international trade, and related fields. Attendees can gain valuable insights into the complexities of transnational IP litigation, understand the evolving legal landscape amid trade tensions, and engage with experts to discuss strategies for effective IP protection and enforcement in a global context.