Join us for a panel discussion on the America Invents Act (AIA) at two years. We’ll discuss the changes and impact on the invention landscape as well as provide guidance on strategies for dealing with the changes. Two years have elapsed since the USA adopted the “first to file” priority. At the time experts predicted dire consequences for innovation in the USA and policy preferences for the status quo. “As a first-to-invent country, we have been the leader of world innovation, and those countries with first-to-file systems have been playing catch up,” said Senator Diane Feinstein. “I wouldn’t trade America’s record of innovation with anyone.” Has the change been as prejudicial to innovation as expected? Did the AIA create winners and losers? If so, who? And how? Learn: · About the changes resulting from AIA and what they mean operationally · Find out how others are adapting processes and/or methods · Best practices in the management of intellectual property and invention · Strategies for optimization of intellectual property (IP) processes under the AIA Who should attend this event? Technologists, inventors, investors, product or department Managers, IP managers and directors who are involved with driving the innovation efforts of an organization. Ticket prices range from $10 - $45. Register now: http://www.pdma.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1626

1. Panelists
Cindy Pezze, Vice President,
Global Technology Development
and Chief Technology Officer at
Westinghouse Electric Company
James M. Singer, Patent Attorney,
Partner at Fox Rothschild LLP
pdma.org > Chapters > Pittsburgh
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America Invents Act
Join us for an engaging panel discussion about the America
Invents Act (AIA). Industry experts Cindy Pezze and James
Singer will talk about the changes and impact the AIA has had
on the invention landscape as well as provide guidance to deal
with the changes.
Two years have elapsed since the USA adopted
the “first to file” priority. Experts predicted dire consequences
for innovation in the USA and policy preferences for the status
quo.
“As a first-to-invent country, we have been the leader of
world innovation, and those countries with first-to-file
systems have been playing catch up,” said Senator Diane
Feinstein. “I wouldn’t trade America’s record of innovation
with anyone.”
April 23, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Engineers’ Society of Western PA
337 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Learning Objectives
• Understand the changes
resulting from AIA and what
they mean operationally
• Discover how others are
adapting processes and/or
methods
• Learn best practices in the
management of intellectual
property and invention
• Understand strategies for
optimization of intellectual
property (IP) processes
under the AIA
at two years…
what has changed (and what hasn't)
Who Should Attend?
Inventors, Investors, Technologists, Directors and
Managers that drive innovation efforts.
The April 23rd panel discussion qualifies for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) for NPDP recertification.
If you have any questions, please email pghpdma@pdma.org.
REGISTER TODAY
Moderator
Dr. Irene Spitsberg, President
at InnoVentures LLC
Has the change been as prejudicial to innovation as
expected? Did the AIA create winners and losers? If so,
who? And how?
Advanced Registration
Members $25  Non-Members $40  Students $10

2. About the Speakers
Panelists
Cindy Pezze, Vice President, Global Technology Development and
Chief Technology Officer, Westinghouse Electric Company
Over the course of her 31-year Westinghouse career, Cindy Pezze has held positions of increasing
technical and business leader responsibility. As vice president of Global Technology Development
and Chief Technology Officer for Westinghouse Electric Company, she is responsible for overseeing
development of technology that creates customer success and solidifies Westinghouse’s reputation
as a global technology leader. She provides leadership for company- level programs related to
innovation and engineering excellence and ensures a robust development path for the company’s
technical leaders.
James M. Singer, JD, Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP
As chair of Fox Rothschild’s Intellectual Property Department, Jim possesses a deep knowledge of
patent, copyright and trade secrets laws. Jim handles strategic licensing matters, patent prosecution,
freedom-to-practice studies and design-around analyses for clients across a range of industries. Jim
also performs IP audits and due diligence to help investors and IP holding companies understand the
value of their patents, as well identify obstacles to market entry and opportunities to expand their
intellectual property rights. Jim was named a “top attorney” for both patent prosecution and
licensing by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine’s “IAM 1000” (2010-2014). He has a BS in
electrical engineering from Penn State and a JD, magna cum laude, from University of Pittsburgh
School of Law.
Moderator
Dr. Irene Spitsberg, President, InnoVentures LLC
Dr. Irene Spitsberg is an innovation thought leader, global technology / business development
executive, author, speaker and entrepreneur. Through her career, Irene has excelled at developing
innovation strategies and leading the execution of strategic initiatives. Her successes have ranged
from organization building, through technology development and commercialization, to structuring
and managing alliances to achieve strategic goals.
An inventor and co-inventor on over 80 U.S. patents , she was a recipient of the NASA “Turn Goals to
Reality” award for her leadership in developing next generation composite technology that
commercialized through GE’s jet engine program - technology which was also given the 2001 R&D
100 Award.
Irene was a key strategist and driver behind establishing Kennametal’s Innovations Ventures Group. Her leadership has enabled
Kennametal to implement a leading industrial innovation system.
Irene is currently President at InnoVentures LLC, a strategic innovation company that brings expertise on achieving growth
through innovation in engineering and science & technology sectors. Previous positions included Director of Global R&D Business
at Cristal, Senior Manager of Innovation Ventures at Kennametal, and various leadership roles at GE Aviation.
She holds a Ph.D. in Material Science from the Russian National University of Science and Technology and is an Executive Scholar
in Financial Management at Kellogg Business School.
Cindy has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics from Allegheny College and metallurgical engineering
from the University of Pittsburgh. She has completed executive management programs at
Duquesne University’s Beard Institute and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business