I meet with a large group of IP attorneys and spoil their
evening meal by talking to them about CIPA.
In the circumstances, they are remarkably polite.
Some interesting feedback emerges. They have no recollection of Mr Lampert’s
buzzy new e-newsletter. (I can only
think their spam filters have consigned it to the same folder as the bulletins
from the Nigerian prince.) They have
never heard of SILC. They do not realise
they missed Congress this week. And they
regard the CIPA Journal as an
elaborate way of sending them a plastic bag once a month.
They have no idea who I am or why I am here. Although to be fair, often I don’t either.
It is hard to initiate a meaningful debate on the value of
CIPA membership, because none of them knows what CIPA membership costs. I ask them to guess. They hardly get above the reserve price. Then I ask what they would like CIPA to
provide as part of the membership package.
There is a silence, then a stirring at the back of the room, and finally
someone shouts: “Free beer!”
I fear this may be getting out of hand. Exactly which part of SILC do they think
stands for Free Beer??
I love my profession :-)
ReplyDeleteI really have no idea whether I chose it, or it chose me.
not nearly facetious enough
DeleteClaim for free beer fails - no enabling disclosure
ReplyDelete