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On Wednesday, November 8, more than 200 attendees joined in-person and online for Spirits and Intellectual Property: Bourbon hosted by the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The event featured educational sessions and panel discussions at Market on Main, including a brief history of bourbon from Eddie Fieldhouse, founder and CEO of The Kentucky Hug, as well as an introduction to intellectual property from James O. Wilson, acting regional director, Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional USPTO and comments from David S. Gooder, commissioner for trademarks, USPTO.
Industry experts highlighted the unique positions of bourbon brands, distillers and researchers advancing the bourbon industry during two panel discussions:
Importance of Brand Protection for Spirits
Moderated by Caroline Stivers, Associate Director of Operations, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) and Director of KYIPA
Chris Mackey, Associate General Counsel & Global IP Director, Beam Suntory
Jack A. Wheat, Member, McBrayer Law Firm
Jim Hayne, Counsel, Stites & Harbison
Jessica Pendergrass, Board Chair-Elect, Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA)
Modernization of Analytical Techniques & Latest Trends in Sustainability of Spirit-related Patents and Licensing
Jagannadh “Nadh” Satyavolu, PhD, Theme Leader, Biofuels and Biomass Conversion, Endowed Chair in Renewable Energy Research, JB Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville
Stuart J. Williams, PhD, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, JB Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville
Telpriore “Greg” Tucker, PhD, Commercialization Manager, The Office of Research and Innovation, University of Louisville New Ventures
The evening closed at the Frazier History Museum with a conversation with the Kentucky Distillers Association’s Jessica Pendergrass and USPTO’s James O. Wilson moderated by Network ‘N Chill and a bourbon tasting with bourbon expert Stephen Yates.
Become a free KYIPA member to learn more about how intellectual property is supporting Kentucky’s thriving economy and to hear about upcoming events.