Officers, Committees & Representatives

Program Committee

Organizes and delivers six dinner programs which support the objectives of the association. Enhances attendance through exciting and informative programs.

Ethics, Grievances, Membership Committee

Addresses, as appropriate, ethical concerns or other complaints that may affect the Association.  Monitors criteria and classification for Association membership.  Addresses membership criteria and determine whether Association membership should be limited, in addition to residence and licensing requirements, to individuals actually engaged in soliciting of patents and trademarks as a profession.  Contacts students interested in intellectual property and encourages PIPLA student membership.  Contacts local non-Association members practicing in intellectual property area, and encourages PIPLA membership.

 Social/Athletic Activities Committee

Promotes the social aspects of the Association by offering special social and athletic programs, such as golf outings. Conducts at least two social outings a year.

Public Relations/Historical and Display Committee

Promotes favorable awareness of and interest in intellectual property and PIPLA.  Obtains media cooperation in publicizing intellectual property related events and news.  Promotes and handles media and community requests for intellectual property related information.  Publicizes meetings and events to the membership.  Serves as custodian of Association's records and awards, particularly the Inventor of the Year Plaques.  Attempts to find a suitable home for the Inventor of the Year Plaques.  Displays information at appropriate meetings.  Begins to write a history of PIPLA and assists other Committees in their publicity efforts.

School Creativity Programs Committee

Actively supports efforts to teach creativity and recognize technical and inventive activities in area schools, e.g. judging Science Fairs and other technical contests and exhibits.

Web Page Committee

Newsletter Committee

Publishes periodic news and information that supports the objectives of the Association and informs the membership of relevant professional, Association, or member activities.  Publishes at least three newsletters in the year.

By-Laws & Rules Committee

Evaluates and proposes Association comment, as appropriate, for proposed intellectual property laws and regulations.  Prepares an Association position on twenty-year term, early publication, and first-to-file as harmonization legislation emerges.

Inventor Award Committee

Provides recognition to a regional inventor.  Solicits nominations, selects award winner, and organizes recognition at an Association dinner.

Writing Award Committee

Grants recongition to a law student(s) having residency or attending school in Western Pennsylvania who composes an article of highest quality on Intellectual Property Law.  The student(s) are honored at an Association dinner and presented with a $1,000 award solicited by the Committee.  The evalaution criteria for all articles includes the degree of pertinence to contemporary issues, original and creative thought, and scholarship.

PIPLA Leadership Committee

IP Advisory Committee

Representatives