Inter partes review (IPR) has been a critical tool for startups to combat patent trolls by providing an accessible, affordable way to challenge weak, overbroad claims and curb abusive patent litigation.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is increasingly restricting access to IPR proceedings. These limitations risk undoing key patent reforms and opening the door to a resurgence of patent trolls, exposing startups to costly litigation. The PTO should restore its focus on patent quality and ensure access to meaningful patent review.

Join Engine on Wednesday, March 11th at 12pm ET for a virtual conversation with an expert panel explaining how restrictions on IPR threaten startup innovation and invite renewed patent troll abuse. Panelists include:

• Lee Cheng - President and Co-CLO, Symmetry IP LLC
  
• Amanda Guilardi - Intellectual Property Counsel, ACT | The App Association
  
• Betelhem Zewge Gedlu, Staff Attorney - Intellectual Property, Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Jill Crosby - Policy Counsel, Engine (moderator)

Location:

Virtual

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83120592232

Start:

March 11, 2026 9:00a.m. EDT

End:

March 11, 2026 10:00a.m.