Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tom Mazzuchi Joins GWMPP Advisory Board
Over the past few months we have built a strong Advisory Board for GW's Master of Patent Practice (MPP) Program. We are honored to announce that Dr. Thomas A. Mazzuchi, Chair of GW's Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering will join our prestigious and growing list of Advisory Board Members. Dr. Mazzuchi received GW's Professor of the Year Award on several occasions, and published over 54 refereed journal publications and 15 book chapters since joining GW in 1985. He is also a Professor of Operations Research and Engineering Management at the University. We are thrilled that Dr. Mazzuchi will offer his leadership in crafting a solid engineering component into GW's MPP Program, and look forward to our amazing partnership with GW's School of Engineering and Applied Science.Land of 10,000 Lakes...or Land of 10,000 Patents?
Having a college roommate from Minnesota showed me first-hand that Minnesotans have an inventive and innovative spirit. That's why I was not surprised when I read a recent report by the Brookings Institution which listed Rochester third and the Twin Cities ninth among 358 major metropolitan areas in terms of patents produced annually. San Jose, California and Burlington, Vermont took the top two spots in the report.
According to the USPTO, Minnesota claimed 3.5 percent of U.S. patents in 2011, but Minnesota has long been a state full of overachievers. The many med-tech giants that call Minnesota home have kept it on the forefront of innovation and made it the mother of what many researchers term "disruptive technology." Minnesota's top patent acquiring companies are IBM and 3M, but the exact answer as to why one state may churn out more patents than another is hard to pin down, because there are many factors to consider. For spots like the Twin Cities, Rochester and Burlington... well...maybe it's simply too cold in the winter months, so time indoors leads to some amazing thinking! Whatever the reason, I certainly look forward to meeting future students from our North Star State!
According to the USPTO, Minnesota claimed 3.5 percent of U.S. patents in 2011, but Minnesota has long been a state full of overachievers. The many med-tech giants that call Minnesota home have kept it on the forefront of innovation and made it the mother of what many researchers term "disruptive technology." Minnesota's top patent acquiring companies are IBM and 3M, but the exact answer as to why one state may churn out more patents than another is hard to pin down, because there are many factors to consider. For spots like the Twin Cities, Rochester and Burlington... well...maybe it's simply too cold in the winter months, so time indoors leads to some amazing thinking! Whatever the reason, I certainly look forward to meeting future students from our North Star State!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Does Art Define Innovation or Vice Versa?
In a unique collaboration between innovation and art, the USPTO recently announced a new partnership with the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C. The space will house an "Innovation Pavilion" when it reopens in 2014, to highlight the vital role that patents play in supporting innovation. The exhibit will also showcase educational programs and serve as a forum for public discussions. Additionally, on June 20-22, 2013, the USPTO will further collaborate with the Smithsonian to host an Innovation Expo at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
JOB SPOT
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC has
an immediate opening for a Patent Agent or Technical Specialist with 2+ years of
experience and a degree in Science or Engineering. Responsibilities will
include, but are not limited to, working directly with inventors in conducting
patentability studies and drafting patent applications in the technical areas of
consumer goods, semiconductor processing and inorganic chemistry. USPTO
registration preferred. The firm’s compensation and benefits package is
competitive with other top-level firms. All applications must be accompanied by
a resume, cover letter, transcript and writing sample.Contact:
Qualified candidates should apply by visiting this link: https://lawcruit.micronapps.com/sup/v3/lc_supp_app_frm.aspx?lawfirm=113&id=0. All applications must be accompanied by a resume, cover letter, transcript and writing sample. All questions should be directed to Donna J. Nolan, Manager of Legal Recruiting, at donna.nolan@bipc.com. EOE.
Additional Info:
Employer Type: Law Firm
Job Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Can Smart Phones Get Any Smarter?
Could your iPhone be smarter than you in the future? A patent application published by the USPTO today indicates that a phone or other device empowered with "situational awareness" is a new possibility. The filing describes various ways that this device would be able to adjust its own volume, switch to vibrate mode, and make other adjustments without even a tap of your finger. Imagine your phone being "polite enough" to lower its ringtone before you go to bed or to utilize other sensory technology. But wait...don't get too excited just yet...
As you know, even if this invention does receive a patent, it may never find its way onto store shelves. Apple may have no intention of selling this device. Moreover, as the entire smart phone market has rapidly become more advanced, some engineers have already developed similar types of capabilities, making the determination of what is "new" not all that easy. As such, this particular patent could be difficult to defend in court, and this application highlights how the explosive growth of technology can present challenges to our patent system. It also begs the question: Should applications for advanced technology that are vague be acceptable (and what is considered too vague)? Check out the Apple Application.
As you know, even if this invention does receive a patent, it may never find its way onto store shelves. Apple may have no intention of selling this device. Moreover, as the entire smart phone market has rapidly become more advanced, some engineers have already developed similar types of capabilities, making the determination of what is "new" not all that easy. As such, this particular patent could be difficult to defend in court, and this application highlights how the explosive growth of technology can present challenges to our patent system. It also begs the question: Should applications for advanced technology that are vague be acceptable (and what is considered too vague)? Check out the Apple Application.
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