Do you value an invitation to the UPC court fees consultation event?

It's not about the money for the AmeriKat, just
about the correct level of padding required for a proper nap

US Vice President Joe Biden once said "Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value."  That is to say, people put money towards what they consider to be valuable.  If the money is not there, chances are it is not valued.  The question now taking center stage in the on-going Unified Patent Court saga is all about money, budgets and value in the form of court fees, SME support and recoverable costs in the UPC (see Kat Darren's recent post on a different monetary debate regarding the unitary patent here and UPC court fees here).  

For months (if not years), private practice and industry members alike have demanded more clarity on the costs of the UPC - will it be more expensive than current litigation before national courts or does it represent value for money?  As reported by the IPKat earlier this month, stakeholders finally have an opportunity to state their case as part of the Preparatory Committee's consultation on court fees.  The consultation closes on 31 July 2015.  The link to the consultation can be found here and here.  

This morning the AmeriKat's friends at the UK Intellectual Property Office alerted her to news of a London-based event where these issues will be discussed.  The alert reads as follows:  

"CIPA, The IP Federation and the IPO will be hosting awareness raising events for individuals and businesses to gain a better understanding the background of the consultation, the details of the various elements contained within it and how best to get your views across. 

The London event will take place on the 23June 2015 from 18:00-19:30 at the Allen & Overy Offices (Allen  & Overy LLP, One Bishops Square, London, E1 6AD).

This will be an interactive event with a panel of experts discussing the key elements and generating discussion from the audience.  We are pleased that Mr Justice Birss, Kevin Mooney and Alan Johnson have all been confirmed for the panel.  A live and interactive webinar is also planned.  Details of how to join on-line  will be issued shortly.   

If you would like to attend the event please RSVP to Tina Alexander (Allen & Overy) at Tina.Alexander@allenovery.com
The UK IPO are also exploring the possibility of hosting an event in Scotland and one in Manchester or Leeds. If you would be interested in attending any of these events, please click one of the links below, for your preferred location, and register your interest with the IPO:

I would like to go to an event in Scotland
I would like to go to an event in Manchester
I would like to go to an event in Leeds"

The AmeriKat is certain that this will be an entertaining and passionate discussion.  She hopes that in relation to Part B of the consultation document questions such as "How does one go about accurately valuing an action?" and "What happens if there is a dispute about the value of the action?" are thoroughly addressed.  Perhaps applications, like the one recently made in Big Bus (see Merpel report here), could assist the parties in determining the value of the action.  For those readers unable to attend the event (or watch via webcast), the IPKat will provide a summary of the proceedings following the event.