Townsend attorney kicks off Space 2.0 Speaker Series

July 22, 2009 - PRLog -- GOLDEN, Colo. – The 8th Continent Project’s Space 2.0 Speaker Series (www.8cproject.com) will kick off Aug. 12 with a breakfast session to discuss the shortcomings of America’s antiquated patent system, why it needs to be overhauled and how to proceed if you have an idea you need to protect.

What: “Patent Reform: Are We Headed in the Right Direction? A View From the Trenches” will be presented by Gene Branch, partner at the intellectual property law firm of Townsend and Townsend and Crew.

When: Weds., Aug. 12, 7-9 a.m. MDT

Where: Law offices of Townsend and Townsend and Crew (www.townsend.com), 1400 Wewatta St., Suite 600, Denver.

Who: With degrees in engineering and business as well as law, and stints as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, an aerospace engineer and a patent attorney, Gene Branch brings both knowledge and perspective to the topic. His practice at Townsend focuses on patent prosecution in the electronics, software and mechanical arts, with emphasis on telecommunications inventions in wired and wireless networks.

Cost: Free to 8th Continent Chamber members, $20 for nonmembers. Light breakfast will be served. Space is limited to 40 people.

Call 720-833-5915 to RSVP or email news@8CProject.com.

The Space 2.0 Speaker Series of before- and after-hours seminars on topics of interest to early-stage ventures is designed for companies using space-derived technology, but all are welcome.

Coming in September: “Shades of Green: Risk Capital 101,” Wednesday, Sept. 30, 5-7 p.m. MDT at Gordon Biersch Brewpub, Broomfield. Jason Mendelson, managing director at Boulder-based Foundry Group, will talk about navigating the risk capital landscape.


Contacts:
For The 8th Continent Project: Lisa Greim, 720-833-5915, news@8cproject.com
For Townsend: Jon Pushkin, 303-733-3441, jon@pushkinpr.com

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About the 8th Continent Project
Based in Golden, the Colorado School of Mines’ 8th Continent Project is the world’s most comprehensive effort to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy. 8th Continent provides the infrastructure and resources to solve a wide range of challenges from global warming to renewable energy development. Located in the home of the most concentrated entrepreneurial, investor and aerospace talent in the world, 8th Continent brings space down to earth with the industry’s first trade association, incubator, funding network and research hub, all working together to develop the next generation of space business ventures. More information can be found at www.8cproject.com.