NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR IPO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The IPO Nominations Committee is accepting nominations from corporate members interested in serving on the IPO Board of Directors.
Regular Corporate Member Seats: corporate members are elected to serve two-year terms that begin January 1 and end December 31. These members are not eligible for election to a consecutive term. We will be nominating two companies at the Annual Meeting for a term beginning January 1, 2027.
More information about board service is available on our website. To nominate your company or another company for the IPO Board of Directors, send the company name with the chief IP counsel’s name and contact information to jessica@ipo.org by Friday, September 4.
IPO ANNUAL MEETING DINNER RECEPTION AT STEAM WHISTLE BREWING
 |
IPO 2026 Annual Meeting attendees are invited to attend a dinner reception at Steam Whistle Brewing. Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto, Steam Whistle Brewing is housed in the historic John Street Roundhouse, a beautifully restored 1929 railway facility that once served Canada’s expanding railways. Guests will enjoy stunning views of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The evening will showcase Canadian culture, with a menu inspired by regional flavors. Savor food and beverages while networking with peers in this uniquely Canadian setting.
IPO thanks Smart & Biggar LP for sponsoring this event. Transportation will be provided between the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel and the Steam Whistle Brewing. Attire is casual – bring layers as it could get chilly at night. Wear comfortable shoes. The Annual Meeting will take place from September 27-29 in Toronto, ON, Canada. Register and view the full program on the IPO website.
JOIN AKIN AT IPOEF’S 2026 AWARDS CELEBRATION
Thank you to Akin for being a Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 Awards Celebration!
Join IPOEF supporters like Akin in Washington, DC on December 15 by sponsoring the event. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to celebrate innovation and support the Foundation’s mission of empowering the next generation of innovators. Sponsorships help raise awareness of your organization’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and IP while directly supporting IPOEF programs. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a range of levels to meet your organization’s visibility and budget goals. To secure your sponsorship, contact Deputy Executive Director Kristen Lurye.
 |
 |
CURMUDGEON CRITICIZES OWN WRITING
Last week’s column included a very poor sentence:
Another READER said of the famous U.S. Second Circuit Judge LEARNED HAND, known for landmark patent decisions, among others, “His parents named him wisely.”
It had 24 words – too many for a sentence in a short item with non-technical subject matter. Sentences normally are between 10 and 20 words. (Some say a bit more for legal materials.) The organization was complex, with distracting expressions in the middle set off by commas. Here’s how it could have been divided into three simple sentences:
Another READER recalled the famous U.S. Second Circuit Judge LEARNED HAND. Hand was known for landmark decisions including patent decisions. The reader said, “His parents named him wisely.”
I wrote the poor sentence just before my deadline. IF YOU CAN, LET YOUR FINISHED IP AND LEGAL WRITING SIT OVERNIGHT AND READ IT AGAIN WITH FRESH EYES.
Comments are welcome. Click on “Curmudgeon” at the bottom of this column for my email address. Click here for the Curmudgeon Archives.
Your friend,
The Curmudgeon