Legal Definitions - American Patent Law Association

The American Patent Law Association was the former name of a prominent professional organization for legal professionals specializing in intellectual property law. It is now known as the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).

AIPLA is a national bar association whose members are primarily lawyers and other professionals engaged in the practice of patent, trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property law. The organization focuses on improving the intellectual property system, providing continuing legal education, advocating for its members' interests, and fostering professional development within the field.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• Imagine a legal historian researching the evolution of patent law in the United States during the mid-20th century. They might come across archived legal journals or legislative testimony from that era that frequently cite positions taken by the American Patent Law Association. This demonstrates the organization's historical influence and its role under its former name in shaping intellectual property policy before its rebranding.

• An experienced patent attorney, reflecting on their early career, might mention attending conferences hosted by the American Patent Law Association in the 1980s. While the organization is now known as AIPLA, this reference highlights the continuity of the professional body and its long-standing commitment to supporting patent lawyers and the broader intellectual property community over several decades.

• A university library cataloging its collection of legal treatises might have older editions of books or reports that list the American Patent Law Association as a contributor or publisher on topics related to patent prosecution or litigation. This indicates that the organization, under its previous name, was a recognized authority and source of expertise in the field of patent law, contributing valuable resources to legal scholarship.