Podcasts about trademark office uspto

On this episode of Brand & New, INTA Chief Policy Officer Heather Steinmeyer sits down with David Gooder, INTA's newly appointed Senior Advisor and former Commissioner for Trademarks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this insightful conversation recorded at INTA's 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, Ms. Steinmeyer and Mr. Gooder explore the evolving role of global intellectual property (IP) offices, as well as the delicate balance IP offices must strike between serving their users and advancing broader competitiveness goals. Mr. Gooder shares his unique perspective from both sides of the IP ecosystem, having worked as chief trademark counsel at Jack Daniels Properties before leading the USPTO's trademark operations through five transformative years. As he transitions into his new role helping INTA deepen collaboration with IP offices worldwide, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of IP protection and the strategic importance of trademark systems in fostering global competitiveness. Resources:  About David Gooder INTA Welcomes David Gooder as Senior Advisor (INTA, May 2025) David Gooder to depart USPTO (USPTO, February 2025)  

https://www.dbllawyers.com/ 800.747.9354 In a fast-evolving technological era, artificial intelligence is transforming industries—and the legal field is no exception. On a recent episode of The Attorney Post, intellectual property attorney Thomas Dunlap of Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig joined the discussion to break down the legal complexities of AI, patent law, and the future of IP protection in a digital-first world. Thomas Dunlap leads a national law firm with nearly 80 attorneys and offices in Washington D.C., New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Delaware. His practice is rooted in intellectual property litigation, with a strong emphasis on patent portfolios held by inventors and universities. Dunlap represents patent holders in enforcement actions, often backed by litigation funders—a model that's becoming increasingly necessary as litigation costs continue to rise. Although Dunlap's background is in traditional IP law, he's become deeply involved in AI law due to the growing number of legal grey areas surrounding artificial intelligence. The lack of specific U.S. legislation governing AI, particularly in IP, is creating both opportunity and uncertainty for attorneys and innovators alike. A central issue Dunlap addresses is the legal identity of AI in the context of inventorship. As of now, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has clarified that while AI can assist in the invention process, only human beings can be listed as inventors. Consequently, AI-generated inventions are considered public domain unless a human makes the inventive leap. This has profound implications for businesses investing in AI-driven R&D. While countries like South Africa and Saudi Arabia have granted patents to AI systems, the U.S. remains firm in its human-inventor requirement—raising questions about international IP protection, ownership, and enforceability. The High Cost of Defending Innovation Beyond AI, Dunlap highlighted systemic flaws in the U.S. patent system. Small inventors, despite contributing to over 60% of innovation, are often outmatched by large tech companies. Patent litigation can easily cost $4–8 million, making it financially impossible for independent innovators to protect their ideas without support from litigation funders. Dunlap pointed to a high-profile case involving a small company's EKG monitoring technology being used in Apple Watches, underscoring how large corporations can leverage legal and financial muscle to challenge or invalidate legitimate patents. This is part of what he calls the “invalidated” era, where inventors face an uphill battle in enforcing their rights. AI's Disruptive Power in Legal Practice While AI poses legal dilemmas, it's also reshaping the way lawyers work. According to Dunlap, tools that previously required five associates over a week can now be accomplished by three associates in just five days, thanks to AI-enhanced e-discovery systems. But he warns that overreliance on AI for document review still carries risks—missed keywords or misinterpreted nuance can drastically affect outcomes. Moreover, Dunlap noted that courts may begin to limit AI training on copyrighted materials, potentially restricting the development of AI tools. If copyright constraints tighten, AI systems might only be able to train on pre-1950s content, greatly reducing their value and utility across industries. Thomas Dunlap's insights make it clear that the legal system is at a crossroads. The collision of AI and intellectual property is forcing courts, lawyers, and lawmakers to rethink longstanding definitions of creativity, authorship, and ownership. As AI continues to revolutionize industries, those at the forefront of IP law—like Dunlap—will be pivotal in shaping the future of innovation. Sponsors: RankWith.NewsThe Attorney PostNational ERCAndropology

Today, Jeff Harty and Drew Hirshfeld talk about the potential impact of the DOGE advisory board on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Their conversation covers how the office is funded and how the USPTO maintains productivity and handles the large backlog of patent applications. They also discuss the impact of the return-to-office executive order and the importance of hiring the best talent as patent examiners, wherever they're based.In this episode, Jeff Harty and Drew Hirshfeld discuss: The impact of the DOGE advisory board on the USPTO.Advantages of having a clear prosecution record in patent cases.How the hiring freeze and the return-to-office executive order affect those at the USPTO.Extensive productivity reports for USPTO examiners.The crossroads facing the USPTO.Key Takeaways: Those with senior roles at the USPTO often have two main goals: to improve the quality of work and to improve pendency—getting results of patent decisions to the applicants faster.If an examiner is clear as to why they are making decisions and an applicant can see what the examiner is doing, it is easier to understand what is happening. When it is not clear, the examiner and applicant can talk past each other, and that is where discrepancies will happen. Allowing for telework and work from home allows the USPTO to recruit top talent from around the country, not just in the immediate area of the office. The USPTO is unique in that it is entirely funded by user fees, not federal tax dollars.“I think that the USPTO's best quality initiative is its telework program, its ability for people to work at home, because you're able to choose people from a pool that's across the country now, as opposed to just in the Alexandria, Virginia, area.” —Drew HirshfeldAbout Drew Hirshfeld: Hirshfeld was a long-tenured employee of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was named one of Managing IP's Top 50 Most Influential People in IP in 2021 (Managing IP is part of the Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC group). Hirshfeld began his career at the USPTO as a patent examiner in 1994 and has held a variety of senior management positions. He was named Commissioner for Patents in 2015 and performed the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO from January 2021 to April 2022. Most recently,Hirshfeld served as Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Deputy Director.Hirshfeld now brings his wealth of patent prosecution and litigation experience to Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner. His achievements included leading the USPTO's response to the Supreme Court's 2021 Arthrex decision by implementing a new process for director review of final written decisions from the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board; serving on the USPTO's Precedential Opinion Panel to decide issues of exceptional importance to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and overseeing extensive patent prosecution training for patent examiners and members of the public.While performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Hirshfeld was responsible for more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $4 billion. He was also responsible for all USPTO functions related to the examination and issuance of all patents. In addition, he championed the USPTO's mentoring program.Outside of work, Hirshfeld and his wife have three daughters. He enjoys woodworking to make things for his family, including an acoustic guitar, kitchen cabinets, and furniture.Connect with Drew Hirshfeld: Website: slwip.com Email: ahirshfeld@slwip.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drew-hirshfeld Connect with Jeff Harty: Website: nyemaster.com/attorney-directory/jeffrey-d-hartyEmail: jharty@nyemaster.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeff-harty-5a9a1643

In this episode, host Kara welcomes trademark attorney Courtney Alvarez, owner of CMA Trademarks and former USPTO examiner, to discuss the importance of trademark protection for businesses. From her journey transitioning from broadcast journalism to trademark law, to practical advice on protecting your brand, Courtney shares valuable insights for entrepreneurs considering trademark registration.Episode Topics:Courtney's career transition from broadcast journalism to trademark lawHer 11-year experience as a USPTO trademark examinerThe difference between trademarks and other intellectual property protectionsWhen and why businesses should consider trademark registrationStep-by-step process of trademark application and registrationImpact of COVID on trademark processing timelinesCommon trademark application mistakes and how to avoid themInsights:Best time to consider trademark registration is at the business planning stageBusinesses can file "intent to use" applications before actually launchingUSPTO processing times increased from 3 to 8 months post-COVIDTrademark registration enhances business value for potential future salesWorking with experienced trademark attorneys significantly increases approval chancesInitial DIY trademark searches on USPTO.gov can save time and moneyHighlights:00:00 Welcome and Intro00:40 Importance of Trademarks for Businesses 04:48 Career Path to Law and Intellectual Property 09:55 Career Development in Trademark Law 10:53 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 14:25 Utilizing Past Experience in New Ventures 15:51 Understanding Trademarks and Their Importance 21:21 Trademark Search and Due Diligence 27:51 Trademark Application Process 32:52 Trademark Registration Process and Renewal 38:12 Trademark Law and Entrepreneurial Support 42:29 Podcast episode endedResources:USPTO.gov for preliminary trademark searchesCMA Trademarks website: cmatrademarks.comEmail: courtney@cmatrademarks.comConnect with Courtney on LinkedIn: Courtney M AlvarezCourtney M. Alvarez is the founder of CMA Trademarks, LLC, a boutique law firm providing high quality legal services to clients seeking federal trademark protection. Ms. Alvarez has a global client base ranging from small entrepreneurs to large corporations in all industries, including several clients that have been featured on the show Shark Tank. She uses her decade-plus experience as a Trademark Examining Attorney at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to help clients successfully register their brand names, logos, and slogans. In the last several years, Ms. Alvarez has been a featured speaker at the ALTLegal “I Love Trademarks” conference, developed a training course to “Search Trademarks like an Examiner,” and also acts as a consultant to attorneys new to the field of trademarks. Visit her website - cmatrademarks.com for trademark consultation and servicesContact Info - +1 202-843-0755Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/ Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/ Facebook -...

SummaryIn this episode, Samar and Jamie discuss various resources for independent inventors. They highlight the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website as a top resource, which provides information on patent basics, patent scams, and free services offered by the Patent Office. They also mention the Inventor Assistance Center and the Pro Bono Program, which are available through the USPTO. Other resources discussed include search tools like patents.google.com, PQ AI, Pantzilla, WIPO, and the European Patent Office. They also mention local inventor groups and inventor clubs, law schools and nonprofits that help inventors, and the book 'One Simple Idea' by Stephen Key as a great resource for patent licensing.TakeawaysThe USPTO website is a valuable resource for independent inventors. It provides information on patent basics, scams, and free services.Search tools like patents.google.com, PQ AI, Pantzilla, WIPO, and the European Patent Office can help with patent searches.Local inventor groups and clubs offer a supportive community and access to experienced inventors.Law schools and nonprofits can provide pro bono assistance to inventors.The book 'One Simple Idea' by Stephen Key is recommended for those interested in patent licensing.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode01:24 Top Resources for Independent Inventors05:37 Useful Patent Search Tools10:21 Joining Inventor Groups and Clubs13:39 Pro Bono Assistance from Law Schools and Nonprofits15:07 Recommended Book for Patent LicensingResourceshttps://www.uspto.gov/https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resourceshttps://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/official-gazette/official-gazette-patentshttps://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-programhttps://patents.google.com/https://projectpq.ai/https://docs.ip-tools.org/patzilla/https://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/https://www.epo.org/en/searching-for-patents/technical/espacenethttps://inventleader.org/inventor-groups/https://inventright.com/books/one-simple-idea/

Trademark scams are on the rise, threatening businesses with costly setbacks and legal risks. Hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue are joined Jason Lott, Managing Attorney for Trademark Customer Outreach at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to expose the deceptive tactics scammers use and provide practical tips to safeguard your intellectual property. From misleading solicitations and fake invoices to fraudulent renewal notices, this episode unpacks scams at every stage of the trademark process—before filing, during application prosecution, and post-registration. Jason shares real-world examples, red flags to watch for, and actionable steps to protect your trademarks. With expert insights and USPTO resources at your disposal, you'll learn how to defend your brand against bad actors, navigate the trademark process confidently, and avoid falling victim to costly scams.  For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts. USPTO Resources to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Trademark Scams: Trademark Application Process: learn the steps involved and the timeline required for attaining trademark protections to avoid being duped. USPTO Recognizing Common Scams: explore the most common scamming tactics and what to be vigilant for throughout the process. USPTO - Misleading Solicitations: USPTO's updated list of known fraudulent solicitations. USPTO fee schedule: understand the fees associated with the legitimate trademark process. USPTO Trademark Assistance Center (TAC): get support for trademark-related queries and verification. USPTO - Trademark Protection: webinars and guides on recognizing and reporting scams. USPTO Subscription Center: subscribe to stay updated, on news, and resources from the USPTO. Key Moments & Quick Links: (1:06) Introduction to Trademark Scams and Hoaxes & Guest Introduction (4:17) Movies About Scams and Deception (9:30) Trademark Scams Overview: Before, During, and After Registration (10:25) Pre- Trademark Application Scams USPTO.gov (14:26) Sophistication of Scams (19:03) Unauthorized Practice of Law Trademark Application Process (23:47) Trademark Scams During Trademark Application Prosecution USPTO Official Payment Platform (31:18) Post-Registration Trademark Scams USPTO - Misleading Solicitations  (36:05) USPTO Resources for Recognizing and Avoiding IP Scams FCC on Spoofed Phone Calls USPTO fee schedule USPTO Trademark Assistance Center (TAC) USPTO - Trademark Protection (38:14) Final Thoughts

This Day in Legal History: Goodridge v. Department of HealthOn November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a historic decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, becoming the first court in the United States to rule that a state ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. In a narrow 4–3 decision, the court held that the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples violated the Massachusetts Constitution's guarantees of equality and liberty. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Margaret Marshall emphasized that marriage is a civil right and that excluding same-sex couples from this institution created a second-class status inconsistent with constitutional protections.The court ordered the Massachusetts legislature to take corrective action within 180 days, either by revising existing laws or crafting a new framework that would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Importantly, the ruling did not permit civil unions as a substitute for marriage, affirming that anything less than full marriage rights would perpetuate discrimination. This groundbreaking decision made Massachusetts the first state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage, sparking national debates over marriage equality.The Goodridge decision laid the foundation for subsequent legal battles over marriage rights and catalyzed movements for LGBTQ+ equality nationwide. While celebrated as a milestone in civil rights history, the ruling also ignited opposition, prompting efforts to pass constitutional amendments to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Despite the controversy, Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in May 2004, cementing its role as a trailblazer in the fight for marriage equality.Former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal case is at a crossroads following his election victory. Trump was convicted in May of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign, but sentencing has been paused at the request of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors must now propose how to proceed, balancing the political implications of prosecuting a president-elect with the need to uphold legal standards. Their recommendations are due Tuesday.Options for prosecutors include indefinitely delaying sentencing, postponing punishment until Trump exhausts appeals, or pursuing a sentence with minimal consequences, such as an unconditional discharge. Legal experts suggest Bragg is unlikely to seek aggressive penalties before the inauguration, given the potential political fallout.Trump's defense has long claimed the case is politically motivated, arguing that it should be dismissed to avoid unconstitutional interference with his presidency. They also contend that his actions are protected by presidential immunity, though the court has yet to rule on this argument. The judge, Justice Juan Merchan, will ultimately decide whether the case moves forward, with both sides expected to appeal any unfavorable decisions.What's next in Trump's hush money criminal case | ReutersFormer IRS Contractor Sentenced for Disclosing Tax Return Information to News Organizations | United States Department of JusticeKathi Vidal, outgoing director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will rejoin her former law firm, Winston & Strawn, as a partner on December 16 after leaving the agency. Nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021, Vidal focused on policies addressing artificial intelligence (AI) in patents, international intellectual property (IP) issues, and diversity in innovation during her tenure. She emphasized transparency and patentability standards for AI-assisted inventions to promote innovation without stifling it.Deputy Director Derrick Brent will serve as acting director until President-elect Donald Trump appoints a replacement. Trump has not announced his pick, though his first-term USPTO head, Andrei Iancu, prioritized policies favoring patent owners. Vidal noted that IP policy tends to be less partisan and highlighted the agency's unique funding model, which relies on processing fees rather than taxpayer dollars.At Winston, Vidal will advise clients on tech-related legal issues, including AI, cybersecurity, and antitrust law, leveraging her USPTO experience. The firm's leadership praised her ability to guide clients through challenges posed by technological advances and geopolitical pressures. Vidal expressed her intention to continue shaping tech policy at the intersection of law and innovation.US Patent Office's Vidal returns to law firm Winston ahead of Trump term | ReutersSpirit Airlines Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial challenges and intense competition from rival carriers. The filing in New York lists the company's assets and liabilities as between $1 billion and $10 billion. Spirit's troubles escalated after a federal judge blocked its proposed $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue Airways Corp., citing antitrust concerns that the deal would harm budget-conscious travelers by raising ticket prices. Previous merger talks with Frontier Group Holdings Inc. also collapsed.The discount airline has faced increasing pressure from major carriers offering competitive basic economy fares, which have eroded Spirit's market share. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has posted consistent losses, with its stock plummeting 93% in 2023.Spirit's bankruptcy follows an agreement with bondholders on a debt restructuring plan. Bondholders will convert $795 million of debt into equity, take control of the company, and inject $350 million in fresh equity along with $300 million in debtor-in-possession financing to sustain operations during the bankruptcy process. The airline also plans to delist as part of the restructuring.In an effort to remain competitive, Spirit recently introduced upgrades such as extra legroom and free checked baggage to attract travelers seeking more premium options. However, these efforts have been insufficient to counter the financial strain. The case is being handled in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.Spirit Airlines (SAVE) Files Bankruptcy Following Failed JetBlue Tie-Up - BloombergThe U.S. Supreme Court announced it will release its first opinion of the term on November 22, earlier than in recent years, where the first opinions appeared in December or January. The specific case or cases to be decided have not been disclosed, but they are likely from the nine argued in the October session. These include issues like federal court jurisdiction, attorneys' fees, and the requirement to exhaust administrative remedies before suing in federal court. Complex cases, such as challenges to Biden's ghost gun regulations and an Oklahoma death penalty case, are expected to take longer.The timing recalls the court's earlier practice of releasing initial opinions in November, a pattern often attributed to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's quick writing pace. In contrast, recent terms have seen delays, with the first opinion in the 2022 term arriving as late as January 23, 2023, marking an unprecedented delay since the court's October term structure began in 1917.This term, the court has already agreed to hear 45 cases, avoiding controversial social issues and focusing on lower-profile matters. The November 22 release could include an opinion or even a dismissal of a case as “improvidently granted,” as suggested during recent arguments in an investor lawsuit against Nvidia.US Supreme Court Bucks Recent Trend, Announces Opinion ReleaseThe court ruling in Mem'l Hermann Accountable Care Org. v. Commissioner underscores the flaws in the current 501(c)(4) tax-exempt classification and the need for reform to address the issue of dark money in politics. This tax code section groups together vastly different organizations, from advocacy groups like the NRA to local sports leagues, under a single classification. The lack of clear, enforceable standards allows some organizations to exploit their tax-exempt status to fund political campaigns while avoiding donor disclosure. This lack of transparency fuels the dark money problem.501(c)(4) organizations can engage in political activity as long as it's not their primary purpose, a vague standard that has led to inconsistent enforcement by the IRS. The Fifth Circuit's decision in Mem'l Hermann challenges this leniency by applying a stricter “substantial nonexempt purpose” test, signaling a potential shift towards greater scrutiny of political spending by these organizations.One solution is creating a new tax-exempt subcategory—501(c)(4)(C)—for politically active social welfare groups. This would establish clearer rules, such as capping political expenditures at 50% of revenue and requiring donor disclosure for contributions above $10,000. It would also separate traditional social welfare organizations from politically active ones, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on the former.Breaking 501(c)(4) into more specific classifications would ensure that transparency requirements target politically active organizations without disrupting community-focused groups. It would also help regulatory bodies focus enforcement efforts and prevent misuse of tax exemptions for untraceable political contributions. This reform aligns with public demand for accountability in campaign finance while preserving the integrity of non-political nonprofits.In sum, the 501(c)(4) designation is problematic as currently drafted because it combines a wide variety of organizations with vastly different purposes under the same tax code section. This allows political advocacy groups to hide behind the same classification as traditional social welfare organizations, avoiding stricter scrutiny. This structural ambiguity hampers transparency efforts, suggesting the need to separate these groups into distinct categories for effective regulation.Getting Rid of Dark Money Requires a New Tax-Exempt Designation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In this episode, we are joined by Andrei Iancu, former Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and former Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to discuss whether AI-generated works can be copyrighted (15:52), what the latest USPTO guidance means for the patent subject matter eligibility of AI systems (22:31), who can claim inventorship for AI-facilitated inventions (36:00), and the use of AI by patent and trademark applicants and the USPTO (53:43).

Examiners at the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) typically have to look at thousands of documents to determine whether an application is valid. Thanks to Federal Drive Host Tom Temin's guest, those examiners now have artificial intelligence tools to work faster and more accurately. For his work, he's a finalist in this year's Service to America Medals program, and the first of the finalist interviews we will be bringing you this year. Talking with Temin is the Director of Emerging Technology and Chief AI Officer at USPTO, Jerry Ma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Examiners at the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) typically have to look at thousands of documents to determine whether an application is valid. Thanks to Federal Drive Host Tom Temin's guest, those examiners now have artificial intelligence tools to work faster and more accurately. For his work, he's a finalist in this year's Service to America Medals program, and the first of the finalist interviews we will be bringing you this year. Talking with Temin is the Director of Emerging Technology and Chief AI Officer at USPTO, Jerry Ma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Harmon is a shareholder in both the Mechanical and Chemical & Materials Technologies Practices at  Wolf Greenfield. He represents clients in industry and academia in a wide range of technologies related to the mechanical, materials, and chemistry fields. One area of particular interest these days is the evolving impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property matters. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued its “Inventorship Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions.” This guidance is pursuant to President Biden's Executive Order last fall on the “safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of AI.”In this edition of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, John Harmon offers perspective on these early days of AI application.01:06 - A summary of the latest guidance from the USPTO06:05 - An overview of the Thaler v. Vidal case06:53 - What further action might be taken in the future to address the President's concerns?09:01 - What constitutes an "invention" and how does AI muddy the waters?11:59 - File earlier rather than later12:52 - Simply applying AI to a problem doesn't constitute patentable subject matter14:29 - The issues that need to be considered when AI and robotics are used together16:13 - Suggestions for moving forward with AI###

This Day in Legal History: Patent Act ApprovedOn April 10, 1790, a significant milestone in U.S. legal and innovation history was reached when Congress approved America's first Patent Act. This foundational legislation was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the protection of intellectual property in the United States, a concept that has become a cornerstone of the modern global economy. The Patent Act of 1790 empowered inventors with the "sole and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others" their inventions, providing them with a fourteen-year period of protection. This period was designed to incentivize innovation while balancing the public's interest in the eventual free use of inventions. Moreover, the Act led to the creation of the U.S. Patent Board, marking the establishment of an official body responsible for the examination and awarding of patents. This entity is recognized as the precursor to today's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), an institution that plays a pivotal role in the protection of intellectual property rights and the encouragement of technological advancement and creativity. The enactment of the Patent Act of 1790 not only recognized the importance of protecting inventors' rights but also set the stage for the United States to become a global leader in innovation and economic development.The EPA recently established the first-ever drinking water standards for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," due to their persistence in the environment. This rule aims to reduce exposure to these carcinogenic substances, affecting up to 6,700 utilities and potentially benefiting around 100 million Americans. Specifically, the EPA has set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion for two primary PFAS compounds—PFOA and PFOS—and a non-enforceable goal of zero exposure due to associated health risks, including cancer. Additionally, a limit of 10 parts per trillion is applied to three other PFAS categories, covering compounds like PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX chemicals.This regulatory action reflects growing concern over PFAS presence in approximately 45% of U.S. drinking water sources, posing significant risks to public health. Utilities will be mandated to monitor, reduce, and notify customers of PFAS levels exceeding these new limits, incorporating advanced treatment technologies such as granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis for removal.To support compliance, the federal government has allocated about $1 billion for PFAS testing and removal, with an additional $12 billion for broader drinking water system improvements. The implementation of these standards represents a critical step by the Biden-Harris Administration towards ensuring environmental justice and safeguarding clean water, contrasting with the World Health Organization's less stringent PFAS guidelines.However, compliance is expected to be costly, with estimates suggesting an annual financial burden of up to $3.8 billion for water utilities. This financial challenge underscores the broader issue of funding essential infrastructure updates and addressing emerging contaminants, highlighting a significant shift in regulatory approach to protect public health from PFAS contamination.Final PFAS Drinking Water Rule to Affect Up to 6,700 UtilitiesUS sets first standard to curb 'forever chemicals' from drinking water | ReutersThe litigation involving Donald Trump's merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) concerning his social media platform, Truth Social, has been assigned to Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn in Delaware Chancery Court, known for her experience with meme stock litigation. This case is among four lawsuits filed over the Trump-Truth Social merger, plus an additional insider trading case. Despite an attempt to block the merger, it concluded in March, leading to an initial surge in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.'s value, which later saw a significant decline, diminishing billions in value.By way of very brief background, a SPAC operates as a shell corporation designed solely to merge with a private company, thereby taking it public (that is, listing its shares for trade publicly on the market) without going through the traditional and often lengthy initial public offering (IPO) process. SPACs are initially created by a group of investors—often led by a seasoned entrepreneur or business executive—known as the sponsors, who raise capital through an IPO of the SPAC itself, even though it has no existing business operations. The funds raised are placed into a trust account, and the SPAC is given a predetermined timeframe, typically 18 to 24 months, to identify and complete a merger with a target company. If the merger is successfully executed within the allotted time, the target company becomes public as a result. However, if the SPAC fails to find a suitable company to merge with or the shareholders disapprove of the proposed merger, the SPAC is dissolved, and the funds are returned to the investors. This mechanism provides a faster, albeit sometimes riskier, alternative to the traditional IPO, offering private companies a streamlined path to public market access and investors a unique investment opportunity tied to the SPAC sponsors' expertise and the potential of the target company.Vice Chancellor Zurn, recognized for her adept handling of cases involving meme stock traders and complex market manipulation theories, now faces the Truth Social lawsuit, highlighting the increasing intersection of retail trading phenomena with legal disputes in the corporate sector. This case centers on allegations that Trump wrongfully diluted the equity of two former "The Apprentice" contestants who co-founded Trump Media, with Trump counter-suing to cancel their shares. The legal battle involves claims of breach of fiduciary duties and retaliatory actions against the co-founders, with new complaints recently allowed to be updated.The assignment of this high-profile case to Zurn underlines the Delaware Chancery Court's role as a crucial arena for major corporate and shareholder disputes, now expanded to include the unique challenges posed by the involvement of meme stock traders. The outcome of this litigation could have broader implications for corporate governance, investor rights, and the regulation of digital and social media ventures in the rapidly evolving landscape of retail trading and online community-driven investment strategies.Trump SPAC Litigation Heads to Judge With Meme Stock ExperienceA Russian court has upheld a significant fine against Google, rejecting the tech giant's appeal against a 4.6 billion rouble ($49.4 million) penalty. This fine was imposed for Google's failure to delete content that the Russian government deems to be false information about the conflict in Ukraine. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and foreign tech companies over issues of content censorship, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.The Moscow City Court confirmed the decision made by the Tagansky District Court, effectively leaving Google's challenge unsatisfied. The fine also pertains to Google's inability to remove extremist content and what the Russian authorities label as LGBT propaganda, indicating a broader crackdown on the digital content distributed by international tech firms within Russia.Notably, Google's YouTube platform, while under scrutiny, has not faced the same fate as Twitter and Facebook, which have been blocked in Russia. This penalty against Google is part of a series of fines based on the company's annual turnover in Russia, with Google facing increasing financial penalties over similar issues in the past. This ruling underscores the escalating conflict between the Russian government and global technology companies over the control and regulation of online content and freedom of expression.Russian court rejects Google's appeal against $50-mln fine over Ukraine content | Reuters Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Dive into the rich history of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with this episode of IP Goes Pop!®, guided by USPTO historian Rebecca Oakes and co-hosted by Intellectual Property Attorneys Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue. Explore the USPTO's impact on innovation and the integration of patent rights into the Constitution, highlighted through connections to pop culture icons like National Treasure and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Rebecca shares insights into the USPTO's archives, the digitization of historical patents, and the agency's ongoing efforts to chronicle America's innovation story. The episode invites listeners to discover the USPTO's resources, offering a glimpse into the past and its influence on modern intellectual property protections. Concluding with an inspirational message, the episode emphasizes the role of history in shaping future innovations. Tune into IP Goes Pop!® for more episodes that blend intellectual property insights with pop culture. Connect with USPTO social: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Twitter (X) Key Moments: (01:15) US Patent Office Episodes with IP Goes Pop (01:24) IP in Pop-Culture History: Famous Movies  TV Shows (08:02) Introducing USPTO Historian Rebecca Oakes (13:07) History of Patent Models (Required through 1870's) (14:43) Curating History & Henry Baker (24:03) Initiatives the Patent Office Does to Protect its History (27:43) USPTO Resources for History (31:33) Final Thoughts For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts. You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently got rid of their old trademark searching website called TESS. In this episode learn how to use the new and improved government trademark search website to see if the name of your product, business, or service has already been taken! -------- E-mail: adiament@nolanheimann.com Website: https://www.nolanheimann.com/legal-team/adam-diament Phone/Text: (424)281-0162 YouTube Channel LinkedIn  

Deborah Stephens, the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), “grew up” so to speak in the USPTO. Deborah led the USPTO on its agile journey. As the agency took on its “New Ways of Working, '' by moving people and resources closer to the work, she helped empower employees to build and deploy software. Deborah shares how she guided the agency through this 4-year change journey, gaining buy-in from the organization, which was proved by an engagement rate increase from 75% to 85%. Deborah also talks about what it means to be a HISP, running USPTO as a business that is entirely self-sustaining, and, in honor of Women's History Month, the women who have inspired her along the way.Key Topics05:54 Some embraced digital change, others struggled with it08:53 Most employees were ready for telework10:59 USPTO shifts to agile approach for IT16:41 Gathering feedback led to 10% engagement increase23:50 Customers submit 600,000+ patent and trademark applications yearly26:51 Agency conducts outreach through webinars and trademarks31:06 Customer experience and UX processes are fundamental33:45 USPTO offers different fee structures for entities35:30 USPTO runs efficiently with prioritization and budgeting39:43 Acknowledging strong women, personally and professionally43:21 Seek guidance and practice for successGrowth in Patent and Trademark RequestsSurge in Applications at USPTODeborah Stephens highlights a significant increase in the number of patent and trademark applications received by the USPTO over the years. This growth, from approximately 350,000 to 400,000 applications in 2012, with numbers continuing to rise, underscores the vibrant culture of innovation and creativity in the United States. The upward trend of applications is a positive sign of the country's ongoing commitment to innovation. However, it also presents logistical challenges for the USPTO. Including the need to process a higher volume of applications efficiently while ensuring the quality of examination does not diminish.Transition to New Ways of Working in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: "And so in around late 2018, 19, we began our, what we referred to as our agile journey. We named it our New Ways of Working, which essentially is an entire USPTO effort. Including our business unit with 12 other business units, moving people and the resources closer to the work. Giving them that empowerment, to build, deliver, deploy software, product services for our business stakeholders, and that's both internally and externally." — Deborah StephensUSPTO is Adapting to Increased DemandIn response to the growing demand for intellectual property protection, the USPTO has been proactive in seeking ways to maintain and improve service delivery. Deborah discusses the agency's approach to managing the influx of applications, focusing on scalability and efficiency. Despite the challenges posed by the increase in applications, the USPTO's designation as a High Impact Service Provider (HISP) has had minimal impact on its existing customer experience strategy. The agency's foundational commitment to delivering exceptional service to inventors and entrepreneurs remains steadfast. With an emphasis on continuous improvement and the adoption of new strategies to better meet the needs of the U.S. innovation community.USPTO's Fee-Funded Model and Fiscal StrategyUSPTO's Fee-Funded OperationsDeborah highlights the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) operational model, which is uniquely self-sufficient. Relying entirely on fees collected from patent and trademark applications.

The US Department of Commerce is responsible for promoting economic growth, job creation, and international trade. It has a wide range of responsibilities and 13 different bureaus and offices. These include Census Bureau, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and others. The CIO The post Advancing Technology and Innovation Forward at DOC: Interview with André Mendes, CIO of Department of Commerce [GovFuture Podcast] appeared first on GovFuture.

In business and technology, speed is key. This is especially true in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where seconds matter to all the innovators submitting patent applications. In this episode, Jamie Holcombe, CIO of the USPTO, explains how his team is using new technology and working faster on a network that will keep up with the products and technologies inventors are hoping to bring to market. Tune in to learn:What is the USPTO? (1:20)How new technology is used to help evaluate patent applications (6:30)The importance of having a reliable and fast network (16:30)Cybersecurity at the USPTO (21:25)--Zayo connects critical data centers across the US, Canada, and Europe with high-capacity metro fiber and extensive long-haul dark fiber. Trusted by the world's most innovative companies, Zayo embodies what's next in networking.Discover Zayo's expansive network maps on their website and see where their network can take you. With low-latency, reliable, 400G and 800G-enabled routes, it's the modern network solution you've been searching for.Visit Zayo's website today to unlock the power of your network and tap into the technologies of tomorrow. Go to Zayo.com/network now.Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

This episode of IP Goes Pop!®, takes you on a journey through the iconic world of the Barbie universe and brand, exploring its deep-rooted connections with pop culture and intellectual property law. Hop in the dream car and journey with Volpe Koenig Shareholders and podcast hosts, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue to a land of pink corvettes, with a few pitstops at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Kicking off with a discussion of the recent cinematic triumphs of the Barbie movie released this year (2023), your hosts delve into how this classic brand has been brought to life on the big screen captivating audiences around the globe. Travel back in time to the inception of Mattel Toys to unravel the origin of Barbie, and the complex legal history behind the doll's inception and success. Learn the true story behind the doll's “inspiration.” Discover how storied brands like Barbie have been able to register colors with their trademarks along with the legal parameters and precedents for doing so.  Listeners will navigate through the pivotal role of patents in safeguarding the Barbie doll brand, highlighting the contributions of rocket scientist turned toy doll inventor, John Ryan, and the key developments in toy doll mobility. Barbie's IP journey continues with your hosts exploring a legal battle involving trade secrets, focusing on the fierce competition between Mattel and MGA Entertainment over the Bratz dolls. Here the focus is on the critical concepts of "work for hire," "non-disclosure agreements," and “exit interviews,” as keys to protecting trade secrets in any industry. Approaching the end of this enlightening journey, Michael and Joe explore the intersection of copyright law and the Barbie brand, analyzing the legal nuances of parody in copyright law through the lens of the infamous "Barbie Girl" song by Aqua and its repercussions in the legal world. They also touch upon the 2023 updated, “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, which samples Aqua's song, offering a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving relationship between pop culture and IP law. The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the complex yet fascinating relationship between the Barbie brand and all aspects of intellectual property law, celebrating the impressive achievements of Barbie in the world of IP. Tune in to this episode of IP Goes POP! and immerse yourself in the captivating (legal) world of Barbie, a brand that has left an indelible mark on both pop culture and the realm of intellectual property. Key Moments in this Episode: 1:44 The Barbie Movie (2023) 3:46 Genesis of Mattel Toys and the Barbie Brand 7:58 IP in the Barbie Universe: Trademarks 12:05 IP in the Barbie Universe: Patents 19:05 IP in the Barbie Universe: Trade Secrets 24:20 IP in the Barbie Universe: Copyright 29:56 Final Thoughts   For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts. You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

On this day in history, September 1, 1807, Aaron Burr, former Vice President and notable shooter of Alexander Hamilton, was acquitted of treason. Aaron Burr's 1807 treason trial was a landmark case and one of the earliest tests of the U.S. Constitution's Treason Clause, outlined in Article III, Section 3. The clause was carefully crafted to limit the charge of treason to the most serious of crimes, requiring "the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act" for a conviction. The trial featured key figures from the Constitutional Convention, including Edmund Randolph and Luther Martin, who were part of Burr's defense team. President Thomas Jefferson, who was convinced of Burr's guilt, directed the prosecution.Burr was arrested in Alabama after being rejected by both major political parties: the Democratic-Republicans for opposing Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election, and the Federalists for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel. He had moved west to seek better fortunes and was involved in a plot to seize lands in Louisiana and Mexico. His plot was exposed when General James Wilkinson, a longtime friend, turned against him and informed federal authorities.Chief Justice John Marshall, a political adversary of Jefferson, presided over the trial. In an unprecedented move, Marshall issued a subpoena to President Jefferson to provide documents for Burr's defense, which Jefferson partially ignored. The trial hinged on whether Burr had committed an "overt act" of treason. Testimony revealed that Burr was 100 miles away from Blennerhassett's Island on the Ohio River, where the government claimed he was planning an act of treason. Marshall instructed the jury to focus solely on whether an act of war had been conducted on the island, citing an earlier related case, Ex parte Bollman.The jury quickly acquitted Burr, stating he was "not proved to be guilty under this indictment by any evidence submitted to us." Jefferson was so infuriated by the acquittal that he reportedly wanted to bring impeachment charges against Marshall, echoing a failed attempt in 1805 to impeach Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. Interestingly, Aaron Burr had presided over Chase's acquittal as Vice President. The trial revealed the complexities and limitations of the Treason Clause, and it also exposed the personal and political animosities between key figures of the era.U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas disclosed that Republican megadonor Harlan Crow funded his travel expenses for three trips last year. This is the first time in two decades that Thomas has reported travel funded by Crow, a Dallas real estate developer. The justice also revealed that he sold three properties to Crow in 2014, a transaction he had previously failed to disclose. These disclosures come after a series of ProPublica reports earlier this year that scrutinized Thomas's financial ties to Crow, including luxury vacations and real estate transactions.In a statement, Thomas's attorney Elliot Berke refuted the allegations, calling them a "partisan feeding frenzy" and stating that the attacks were motivated by disagreement with Thomas's judicial philosophy. Thomas also noted that he did not report earlier vacations with Crow due to new rules adopted by the federal judiciary this year. He added that he had arranged for private transportation to an event in May following an "increased security risk" related to a leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade.Thomas also corrected previous omissions in his financial disclosures, including bank accounts and a life insurance policy for his wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas. He stated that Crow had paid $133,000 for the three properties in Savannah, Georgia, in 2014, resulting in a capital loss for him and his wife.The disclosure has heightened scrutiny around the ethics and transparency of the Supreme Court, especially as public confidence in the court has declined amid various controversies. Congressional Democrats and advocacy groups have filed ethics complaints against Thomas, but no action or updates have been announced by the Committee on Financial Disclosure, which oversees the reporting process for justices and lower court judges.Justice Clarence Thomas Reports Trips Paid for by GOP Donor (2)US Supreme Court's Thomas flew on GOP donor's jet, cites security risks | ReutersA federal judge has sentenced former Proud Boys leaders Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl to 17 and 15 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. They were convicted of seditious conspiracy in an attempt to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's sentences were lower than the 33-year and 30-year terms that federal prosecutors had sought. Kelly stated that while he did not want to minimize the violence of the event, it was not equivalent to a mass casualty incident.Before their sentencing, both Biggs and Rehl expressed regret for their actions. Biggs choked up as he spoke about his daughter, who he said needs him, while Rehl broke down, stating that he had let politics consume his life. Prosecutors had partly based their sentencing recommendation for Rehl on evidence that he committed perjury during the trial.Judge Kelly agreed that the conduct of Biggs and Rehl amounted to an act of terrorism but did not apply a terrorism enhancement to the sentences, stating it "overstates the conduct" at issue. The sentences are among the most stringent handed down in relation to the Capitol attack. To date, more than 1,100 people have been arrested, over 630 have pleaded guilty, and at least 110 have been convicted at trial for charges related to the Capitol assault. The attack resulted in five deaths, including a police officer, and injuries to more than 140 police officers.Judge sentences ex-Proud Boys leaders to 17 and 15-year terms for US Capitol attack | ReutersApple and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have settled a lawsuit over the rejection of Apple's application for a federal trademark for the term "Smart Keyboard." The dispute was resolved in principle, according to a joint filing, although details of the settlement were not immediately available. Apple's Smart Keyboard serves as an iPad cover, keyboard, and stand. The USPTO initially rejected Apple's trademark application for the term in 2018, and its Trademark Trial and Appeal Board upheld the decision in 2021. The board found that "Smart Keyboard" was a generic term for "technologically advanced keyboards."Apple appealed the decision to a Virginia federal court last year, arguing that "Smart Keyboard" was a distinctive trade name for its accessory. The company also pointed out that the USPTO had approved hundreds of other "Smart" trademarks, including Apple's own "Smart Cover," "Smart Case," and "Smart Connector" marks for iPad accessories. In response, the USPTO reiterated its stance that "Smart Keyboard" is a generic term and therefore ineligible for a federal trademark.The case had been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Representatives for both Apple and the USPTO did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the settlement. The resolution puts an end to a legal battle that had implications for trademark law and the tech industry.Apple, USPTO settle lawsuit over rejected 'Smart Keyboard' trademark | Reuters Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue are joined by: Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi Vidal; Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Council, Paul DelPonte; and the legendary McGruff the Crime Dog®. Our guests share their insights on the impact of counterfeits on society, the economy, and individual safety. The panel kicks off with a discussion of public service characters and their roles in environmental awareness and education. The panel then explores the issue of counterfeit goods. Here, the panel considers the impact of counterfeit goods on children, society, how counterfeit goods can be connected to organized crime, and how IP is involved in combating this global problem. Director Vidal provides insights into the role of the USPTO in protecting consumers from the dangers of counterfeit goods and highlights the importance of educating consumers about the real-world risks associated with counterfeit products. Listeners will learn about the "Go for Real" campaign, a joint initiative by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), aimed at educating the public, particularly teens and tweens, about the risks associated with counterfeit products and the importance of making smart buying decisions and respecting intellectual property rights. Director DelPonte shares his experiences leading NCPC and the organization's efforts to promote greater civic engagement and public education on crime prevention. We hear from both him and McGruff about using the power of the internet to reach and empower a new generation to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®.” You'll learn about ways you, your colleagues, and even your kids can become “dupe detectives” and improve your ability to spot fakes. Produced by the United States Patent and Trademark Office; no copyright is claimed by the United States in this presentation or associated materials. Resources provided by the USPTO and NCPC: Kathi Vidal | USPTO Paul-DelPonte_bio.pdf (ncpc.org) https://www.uspto.gov/ https://www.ncpc.org/ McGruff the Crime Dog® teams up with USPTO to take a bite out of fake goods sold online | USPTO Shop Smart and Stay Safe This Season | U.S. Department of Commerce  Roundtable: Future strategies in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy | USPTO   For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts. You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Webcast URL: https://knowledgewebcasts.com/know-portfolio/exploring-ai-patent-landscape-cle/ Inventions involving artificial intelligence (AI) continue to raise challenges for patentability of AI-related inventions. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected an attempt to name an AI system as the sole inventor on a patent application. In light of this and the rapid development of AI systems, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requested public comments on a wide range of topics relating to AI and the patent system. In addition, AI raises difficult questions about whether AI-related inventions qualify as patentable subject matter, how to describe AI-related inventions in ways that satisfy the written description and enablement requirements, and how to demonstrate that AI-related inventions are nonobvious. These and other developments underscore the need for patent owners and businesses alike to stay updated with emerging regulatory trends and take proactive measures against improper inventorship. Listen as experienced patent attorneys Robert Plotkin (Blueshift IP) and Orlando Lopez (Culhane Meadows Haughian & Walsh PLLC) provide a comprehensive discussion of the current and emerging patent policies and procedures for AI-related inventions. Speakers, among other things, will provide practical tips and strategies for navigating this ever-changing regulatory landscape. For more information please click on the webcast URL at the top of this description.

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is an administrative court at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Erik explains what the TTAB is, the types of cases it handles, and how it functions in this podcast. Listen to Podcast The post What Is the TTAB? appeared first on Erik M Pelton & Associates, PLLC.

Eli is joined by colleague Shawn Lillemo, Head of Software Development at their firm Harrity, to talk about the firm's tech journey.  Shawn and Eli talk about why and how the firm started its own software development team to create tools to improve how it handles its patent preparation and prosecution work, Shawn's superstar team in Ukraine, the future role of AI, and much more: The slow embrace of technology by patent firms United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)'s adoption of technology and where they are now How Shawn's background as an attorney, patent examiner, and creating software for his college's facilities department led him to his current role First macro created for Harrity Creation of Patentprufer - a tool for tracking information about patent examiners Lessons learned from building an enterprise software team at a law firm Stories about Shawn's team building its first software tools How Shawn's team in Ukraine has managed to continue to successfully develop software during the war Funneling and prioritizing endless amount of ideas to create valuable software patent tools Five year journey of creating and launching PatentHub, Harrity's enterprise task management system Whether AI will replace patent attorneys  

On this day in legal history the landmark Supreme Court decision of Sweatt v. Painter was decided. In 1946, Heman Marion Sweatt, an African American man, applied to the all-white University of Texas School of Law but was denied admission based on his race. This decision was made in accordance with the segregated policy outlined in Article VII, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution. Sweatt took legal action with the support of the NAACP, seeking enrollment at the university. Initially, a temporary law school called the School of Law of the Texas State University for Negroes was established for black students. It provided access to resources such as the Texas Supreme Court library and had faculty members from the University of Texas School of Law. Sweatt's case was dismissed by a state court after the black law school was established. However, Sweatt appealed to the United States Supreme Court, arguing that the Texas admissions system violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. On June 5, 1950, the Supreme Court ruled that in states where white students had access to graduate and professional schools while black students did not, black students must be admitted to the white institutions. This decision led to Sweatt's admission to the University of Texas School of Law, along with the enrollment of other black students in subsequent years. The impact of the case was limited to graduate and professional programs at the University of Texas, as black undergraduate students were still not admitted, although graduate students could take undergraduate courses if necessary for their program.With Sweatt v. Painter and another case, McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Supreme Court began the long process of overturning the separate but equal doctrine in public education–first by requiring graduate and professional schools to admit black students.Law school applications in the United States have returned to normalcy after the pandemic-induced surge in 2021. The number of applicants has decreased for the second consecutive year, indicating that the previous year's increase was an anomaly attributed to COVID-19. As of Thursday, law school applicants were down by 2.4% compared to the previous year. The Law School Admission Council expects the national applicant pool for this cycle to be slightly smaller than the year before, which was already 12% smaller than in 2021. The decrease in applications aligns with the trend of the past five years, where the number of applicants remained relatively consistent. The increase in applications in 2021 was attributed to various factors, including the disruption of the job market for college graduates caused by the pandemic, protests over racial inequality, and the political climate. The pool of law school applicants continues to become more diverse, with applicants of color comprising 46.5% of the current pool. It's a 'return to normalcy' for law school admissions | ReutersThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed 42 enforcement cases after discovering that its enforcement staff had unauthorized access to materials intended for commission officials handling those cases. The SEC conducted a review of the matter, which was initially raised in April 2022 when it was revealed that certain databases allowed enforcement staff to view legal materials meant for the in-house court officials. The SEC acknowledged the error and expressed regret, emphasizing its commitment to rectify the situation. The improper access was deemed accidental, as administrative staff in the enforcement arm unintentionally accessed adjudication materials while collecting relevant information. An internal review concluded that the improper access had no impact on the decisions made by the enforcement staff or the officials reviewing the cases. However, the SEC decided to dismiss all pending cases that were affected by the improper access, primarily involving individuals and smaller firms. Additionally, the SEC agreed to lift industry bans on 48 individuals who had requested relief from the agency and were also implicated in the incident.US SEC to dismiss 42 enforcement cases after internal data mishap | ReutersThe US Solicitor General has admitted to misleading the Supreme Court in a 2017 patent case involving Nike and Adidas. The misrepresentation occurred during an argument about the validity of inter partes review, a process that allows the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reexamine issued patents. By way of very brief background, inter partes review is a process in the United States patent system that allows a third party to challenge the validity of an issued patent before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). It provides a mechanism for reviewing and potentially invalidating patents based on prior art and other grounds, offering an alternative to litigation in resolving patent disputes. In this case, the Solicitor General apologized, stating that the USPTO failed to alert them about the mistake. This is not the first time the Solicitor General has corrected statements made to the justices. The admission came in the context of a separate whistleblower dispute raised by Judge Michael Fitzpatrick, who expressed concerns about attempts to expand the number of judges in the Nike case. The Merit Systems Protection Board ruled in favor of the judge, noting that the Solicitor General's office was not made aware of the potential mistake. The government acknowledged the need for absolute candor and accuracy in its representations to the Court. Solicitor General Office Admits It Misled Court in Patent CaseThe estate of J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, has filed a copyright lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against author Demetrious Polychron. The estate accuses Polychron of writing and selling an unauthorized sequel titled "The Fellowship of the King." The lawsuit comes after Polychron himself filed a copyright suit against the Tolkien Trust and Amazon Inc., alleging infringement of his sequel's copyrights following the release of the TV series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." The estate discovered Polychron's unauthorized sequel online in March and sent a cease-and-desist letter. Despite the estate's policy of not licensing writers to create sequels, Polychron persisted in pitching his written sequel. The estate attempted to resolve the dispute through a call, but Polychron continuously postponed, citing illness and instead Polychron filed a lawsuit against the Tolkien Estate and others. The estate's complaint states that Polychron's sequel incorporates various copyright-protected elements from the original trilogy, including verbatim passages, characters, and the entire plot premise. Online reviews of the sequel suggest that readers were aware it was an unauthorized derivative work.Tolkien Estate Sues Over Unauthorized ‘Lord of the Rings' Sequel Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently expanded a contract to improve the cybersecurity of its main databases, as well as move the agency to that all-important zero-trust architecture. For the details, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with the USPTO Chief Information Officer Jamie Holcombe and the President of Trustwave Government Solutions, Bill Rucker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently expanded a contract to improve the cybersecurity of its main databases, as well as move the agency to that all-important zero-trust architecture. For the details, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with the USPTO Chief Information Officer Jamie Holcombe and the President of Trustwave Government Solutions, Bill Rucker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Glenn and Colin Fowler sit down with Molly Kocialski, the director of the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as she shares stories about innovation in the climate tech space and programs at the USPTO that incentivize further discovery. Molly explains the value of research and quantification when pursuing end solutions.

On this episode of the Startup of the Year Podcast, we hear an interview with Hope Shimabuku that took place at SXSW. Hope is the Regional Director of the Texas Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and is responsible for leading the Texas regional office. Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community, Hope ensures the USPTO's initiatives and programs are tailored to the region's unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders.   We also again mention an event that we have coming up on May 15 - 18, 2023. The SBA will host the second America's Seed Fund Week. This series of virtual events connects startups and small businesses working on advanced technologies to the country's largest source of early-stage funding. America's Seed Fund serves as a springboard by providing over $4 billion in funding to early-stage startups and small businesses each year as innovators take their technology from R&D through to commercialization. Check out more about the event and register today at: https://www.americasseedfund.us    Lastly, we again shine a spotlight on one of the startups from our community and that company is Stack Homes, which builds luxury modular dwellings designed for the imaginative and conscious home buyer while responding to the environmental and housing crises. They are sustainable, uniquely stackable, timely and built-to-order. Offering industry-leading designs and customer-centric white glove service throughout the process, Stack Homes is revolutionizing the residential construction industry. To learn more visit https://www.stackhomes.com    We invite you all to join our community today to access the support, expert advice, and resources you need to elevate your startup by going to: www.est.us/join     Thank you for listening, and as always, please check out the Established website and subscribe to the newsletter at: www.est.us   Checkout Startup of the Year at: www.startupofyear.com   Subscribe to the Startup of the Year Daily Deal Flow: www.startupofyear.com/daily-dealflow   Subscribe to the Startup of the Year podcast: www.podcast.startupofyear.com   Subscribe to the Established YouTube Channel: soty.link/ESTYouTube   *** Startup of the Year helps diverse, emerging startups, founding teams, and entrepreneurs push their company to the next level. We are a competition, a global community, and a resource.     Startup of the Year is also a year-long program that searches the country for a geographically diverse set of startups from all backgrounds and pulls them together to compete for the title of Startup of the Year.    The program includes a number of in-person and virtual events, including our annual South By Southwest startup pitch event and competition. All of which culminate at our annual Startup of the Year Summit, where the Startup of the Year winner is announced, along with an opportunity at a potential investment.   Established is a consultancy focused on helping organizations with innovation, startup, and communication strategies. It is the power behind Startup of the Year. Created by the talent responsible for building the Tech.Co brand (acquired by an international publishing company), we are leveraging decades of experience to help our collaborators best further (or create) their brand & accomplish their most important goals. Connect with us on Twitter - @EstablishedUs and Facebook - facebook.com/established.us  

Show notes: US Patent and Trademark Office: https://www.uspto.gov/ Director's Blog: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/directors-blog-latest-uspto-leadership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathividal/ Not every seven-year-old reads case law, but Kathi Vidal, Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office, did that on library visits. But her love for science pushed her toward an engineering career. However, her passion for digging deep into subjects and learning new things eventually turned her towards the law profession, where her hands-on scientific background became an asset as an Intellectual Property lawyer. Kathi's drive to continually learn and a willingness to push the boundaries have accelerated her career. Experiencing impediments, she didn't know existed helped shape her leadership style. As you'll hear, Kathi is a committed champion of creating equity and access for all innovators, and she's using her platform to bring that to everyone. This episode discusses Kathi's engineering experience, becoming a lawyer, owning feedback, and realizing her potential. If you want to geek out on some intellectual property law talk or learn more about what it takes to be a leader in today's world, this conversation is for you.

Let's meet the halfway point in the week head-on and take a peek at today's legal news.  The US Supreme Court is deciding whether US trademark law applies to foreign conduct in a case involving a $90m infringement award over radio remote controls. The Tenth Circuit upheld a $115m award, including $90m in trademark infringement damages, to Hetronic International against Abitron Germany for infringing radio remote controls for heavy-duty construction equipment sold worldwide. While Abitron maintained that nearly all its conduct was international and therefore the Tenth Circuit had overreached, Hetronic argued the focus should be on whether actions caused consumer confusion in the US. The case has raised concerns about the reach of US trademark law into other jurisdictions, but the justices have also indicated that Congress' authority over US commerce becomes difficult to square with arguments limiting the reach of trademark law in a global, internet-connected context. IP attorney Mark Lezama of Knobbe Martens said the majority of justices appeared to be in favour of reversing the Tenth Circuit's judgment in large part and limiting the extraterritorial reach of the Lanham Act.By way of brief background, the Lanham Act, also known as the Trademark Act of 1946, is a United States federal law that governs trademarks, service marks, and unfair competition. It provides for the registration of trademarks and service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and establishes procedures for enforcing trademark rights. The Lanham Act prohibits false advertising, false designation of origin, and other deceptive practices that may confuse consumers about the source or quality of goods or services. It also provides for remedies such as injunctions, damages, and attorney's fees in cases of trademark infringement. The Lanham Act has been amended several times over the years to keep pace with changes in technology and commerce, but it remains an important tool for protecting intellectual property rights in the United States and, maybe now, worldwide. Justices Weigh Trademark Law's Reach Against Global Commerce (1) Texas and Idaho will operate under a federal waters rule that was in place before March 20, after a federal court barred the Biden administration's 2023 waters of the US (WOTUS) rule from being implemented in those states. The new rule is designed to protect water quality in major waterways across the US, and impacts housing, agricultural, mining and other development projects in every state, as a permit is required to disturb federally protected waters and wetlands. The definition of federally protected waters under the Clean Water Act has been subject to a complex series of challenges and revisions, including a 2008-15 rule, the Obama administration's expansion of federally protected waters and wetlands, a subsequent court decision rejecting that rule, and the Trump administration's changes to WOTUS. The Biden administration is facing five lawsuits challenging its 2023 rule, brought by at least 26 states and industry groups. Although the injunction against the rule in Texas and Idaho is not expected to affect the other lawsuits, a Supreme Court case, Sackett v. EPA, could undermine the significant nexus test that is currently used to determine whether waters and wetlands are protected under the law, potentially prompting further litigation.‘Bizarre' Texas Injunction Means Past US Waters Rule in Effect Manhattan prosecutors are expected to decide within days whether to bring charges against former President Donald Trump for his role in hush-money payments made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies having had an affair with Daniels. The inquiry into the payments opened and closed several times, leading to the case being referred to as a "zombie case". Doubts had arisen as to whether state felony charges could be brought against a candidate for federal office, and whether the conduct could be considered money laundering. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg launched the probe after his predecessor Cyrus Vance twice looked into the payment and did not bring charges. The new prosecutor is reportedly approaching the case with a different legal theory. Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency again in 2024, has called the probe a "witch hunt" – which is probably accurate … if there really was a witch and it really had paid off an adult film actress. Trump hush-money charges would bring 'zombie case' back to lifeContent warning here for a hateful law enacted by a hateful person, with my condolences to all the good people in Arkansas that aren't currently governor. If you want to hop off here and catch up with us tomorrow, this is our last story of the day. Have a great one.On Tuesday, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law that prohibits transgender individuals from using public school restrooms that match their gender identity. The law applies to multi-person restrooms and locker rooms in public schools and charter schools serving pre-K through grade 12. The law requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations, such as single-person restrooms and changing areas, and school authorities that violate the law can face fines of at least $1,000, while parents can file lawsuits to enforce the measure. A spokesperson for Sanders said that the governor is focusing on protecting and educating children, not “indoctrinating” them – and indoctrinating should be viewed with huge sarcastic air quotes. This law is similar to ones in Alabama and Oklahoma that are aimed at making life miserable for transgender youth, while Republican legislators across the United States have been campaigning to ban healthcare for them. Some are even seeking to charge parents and doctors with child abuse if they provide treatment, all are aiding and abetting their most extreme colleagues by putting party loyalty ahead of basic human decency. Arkansas enacts law restricting school bathroom use by transgender people  Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Kathi Vidal returns to the Clause 8 podcast to talk about her first year as the Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  In an expansive conversation, Director Vidal talks about what she hopes to accomplish, explains and defends the current process for exploring and making changes to the patent system, and responds to criticisms regarding the state of the system.  Even close observers of her time as Director are bound to be surprised by many comments she offers on this episode. On this episode, Director Vidal and Eli discuss: Offer to become Director & preparation for role Big-picture vision & importance of listening to all stakeholders How stakeholder input drove administration's decision regarding standard essential patent (SEP) policy statements Healthy state of America's patent system & need for improvements on the margins Negative impact of information that discourages use of patent system Reliance of American companies on other jurisdictions to enforce their patent rights Efforts to increase diversity of patent applicants, including efforts to expand pro bono programs Weighing stability of patent system v. implementing change USPTO's willingness to pivot, pause, and extend Are requests for comments (RFCs) destabilizing patent system? Correct way to view USPTO's RFCs – why you shouldn't read too much into individual questions Proposal to record examiner interviews Coordination with USPTO labor unions Indispensable role America's patent system played in creation of the COVID-19 vaccines How lack of patent eligibility for diagnostic tests impeded innovation for COVID-19 tests Efforts of drug companies to make sure that those who needed COVID 19 vaccines got them Message to independent inventors (who hear Molly Metz's story) Upcoming plan to solve for problems faced by independent inventors “Patent troll” narrative – are there too many “bad patents”? Reputation of the PTAB & desire of PTAB judges to get it right Has the PTAB worked out as intended? Purpose of new guidance & rulemaking regarding Fintiv discretionary denials Approach to Director review & importance of independence of PTAB judges Plan to solicit input regarding role of 3rd parties in PTAB proceedings Need for more clarity regarding Section 101 Providing examiners with ability to do pattern recognition for Section 101 analysis Selection of Commissioner for Patents Vaishali Udupa Surprising alignment with America's allies on innovation & IP issues Advice on overcoming career setbacks   

On today's episode of the podcast, I'm sharing a very exciting announcement and also spilling the tea on my recent trademark debacle and what to do if you find yourself on either side of an intellectual property situation. Two weeks from today I'm re-opening my law firm

Blaine Hackman focuses his Wolf Greenfield practice on post-grant proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and related patent litigation, prosecution, and counseling. He regularly represents clients in inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), with an emphasis on biotechnology and pharmaceutical technologies. In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, Blaine offers an overview of the firm's post-grant practice. Here are some of the highlights: 00:49 - An overview of Wolf Greenfield's post-grant practice. 03:12 - The difference between a jury trial and post-grant proceeding. 05:57 - For biotech and pharma companies, choosing the right path is a crucial choice.  07:51 - Changes for companies looking to claim newly discovered life science technologies or improvements to existing technologies. 08:55 - How to evaluate the likelihood of success prior to either a PTAB proceeding or jury trial. 11:04 - Recent changes to post-grant proceedings. 14:40 - The importance of expert testimony in PTAB proceedings and jury trials.16:32 - Life sciences companies often miss opportunities by overlooking the PTAB. 18:50 - Implications for future legal proceedings after going the post-grant route. 20:10 - Wolf Greenfield's expanding post-grant practice in 2023.

In this episode, Valencia Martin Wallace and I do a critical examination of our innovation ecosystem and how we can make it more diverse and inclusive. Valencia is the Deputy Commissioner for Patents for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and is the executive lead for the USPTO's Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2). Valencia shares data regarding how women and minorities are underrepresented in the innovation ecosystem. You can feel her passion for the topic and for strengthening the innovation and IP community as a whole. In this episode, Jeff Harty and Valencia Martin Wallace discuss: Valencia's passion for growth and support in the IP community. The creation of CI2 and why it is necessary.The benefits of having a more diverse innovation ecosystem. Strategies and initiatives to build a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem by encouraging participation demographically, geographically, and economically.Key Takeaways: While 30 percent of engineers and scientists who are working professionally are women, less than 12 percent have their names on patents.The story does not end when an invention is patented—it takes a community to take the patented invention further into commercialization and usage. By closing the gender gap, $12–$28 trillion can be added to the global economy. Innovators are not created; they are born. It is a matter of helping those innovators get a rich education and giving them opportunities to help not only themselves, but also the nation. “It takes a community to move forward in every field but especially when integrating technology and law.” — Valencia Martin Wallace   About Valencia Martin Wallace: As deputy commissioner for patents, Valencia manages and leads the USPTO's efforts related to international IP harmonization and provides executive oversight over patent-examining functions in the technologies of communication, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and medical devices and processes. She provides executive leadership on international patent legal issues and various work-sharing efforts with international partners. Valencia is the executive lead for the USPTO's Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2). The CI2 will help guide the USPTO in developing a comprehensive national strategy to build a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem.As deputy commissioner for patent quality, Valencia was responsible for sustaining the quality of the patent examination processes and products. In her 28-year career at the USPTO, she also oversaw software technology centers, served as executive co-lead on the implementation of the AIA First-Inventor-to-File statutory framework, and led the implementation of the Office of Patent Examination Support Services.Valencia earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Howard University and a juris doctorate from The George Washington University School of Law. She also has a certificate in Advanced Public Administration from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Public Administration.Connect with Valencia Martin Wallace: USPTO: https://www.uspto.govLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valencia-wallace-738502122/ Other References: USPTO Inclusive Innovation: https://www.uspto.gov/initiatives/equity Council for Inclusive Innovation: https://www.uspto.gov/initiatives/equity/ci2 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events/black-innovation-and-entrepreneurshipPatent Pro Bono Program: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program?MURL=probonopatentsConnect with Jeff Harty: Website: https://nyemaster.com/attorney-directory/jeffrey-d-harty/Email: jharty@nyemaster.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harty-5a9a1643/

SmallCapVoice.com Inc. (“SCV”) announces the availability of a new interview with Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani, CEO of Clearmind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: CMND) (CSE: CMND) (FWB: CWY), to discuss the biotech company's use of non-hallucinogenic psychedelic compounds to treat physical and mental health, including addiction. Clearmind's intellectual portfolio consists of seven patent families. Its lead candidate, CMND-100, is derived from 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI), a psychoactive molecule that exerts a euphoric alcohol-like experience and a reduced desire to consume alcohol. CMND-100 is headed for clinical trials in early 2023 as a potential treatment for alcohol-use disorder (AUD), and Clearmind is also exploring the use of its MEAI-based compound to treat cocaine addiction and depression. Earlier this month, Clearmind was granted a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the use of its proprietary MEAI as an alcoholic beverage substitute. Speaking with SCV's Stuart Smith, Dr. Zuloff-Shani explains the global need for such treatment. “The number of alcoholics is striking,” she says. “We're talking about millions around the world. Alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million deaths each year globally. It is the third leading, preventable cause of death in the U.S. and the yearly cost is enormous – around $200-$250 billion and that's in 2010.” Despite the statistics, Dr. Zuloff-Shani says that existing treatment options in this largely underserved market are largely ineffective. “You would think that a huge problem probably has a lot of treatments to offer,” she explains. “But it's just the opposite. Since 1950, only three treatments were approved by the FDA. I cannot say that any of them are very effective or have no adverse events associated with it.” In pre-clinical studies, however, MEAI has demonstrated promising efficacy in individuals who struggle with alcohol, helping to break the addiction cycle. Clearmind's interest in the component came from the testimonials of people who purchased it to better manage their alcohol consumption. As Dr. Zuloff-Shani explains in the interview, Clearmind paid attention to those experiences and the company selling the MEAI component online. Convinced of MEIA's potential as a safe treatment option, it then acquired certain worldwide patents of MEAI used that information as an entry point for its own compound. Now, Clearmind is working on an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA as it advances toward clinical studies of MEAI next year. “Usually when you develop a compound, you start from the other direction. You have an idea. You develop a compound and then you go to petri dishes and to animals, and finally you walk that you will have the same signal as, as you had in animals and in petri dishes in humans,” explains Dr. Zuloff-Shani. “Here, we are just doing the reverse process. We understand [MEAI] has the potential to be effective and safe … we decided that we want to do it in a safe place and take the FDA route.” Smith then shifts the conversation toward Clearmind's most recent developments and the strength of its management team, staff and scientific advisory board. Dr. Zuloff-Shani describes the structure of Clearmind's operations and how it benefits corporate objectives and overhead. “We have a very impressive staff in the company,” says Dr. Zuloff-Shani, who is well-versed in navigating regulatory pathways through her more than 20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. “We don't have a lot of people, and this is by choice. We prefer to work in outsourcing because that enables us to manage our expenses better. On the other hand, it allows us to really collaborate in every field that we are dealing with.” The interview concludes with what Clearmind expects to achieve in the New Year and how it plans to overcome the challenges associated with advancing toward clinical trials.

Ashley Byrne- It's time to Dress Vegan: Learn How Easy It Is to Save Animals and the Planet by Ditching Cashmere, Wool, Leather, Down, and Fur. Ashley will discuss how easy it is to help animals and the environment this winter by choosing vegan clothing and accessories. Dr. Katherine Tomasino discusses the importance of identifying the causes for problems with gut health and gives tips to help treat the condition. Treatments can help communication between the gut and the brain. Paul DelPonte reminds customers to buy real not counterfeit products and discusses how together the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are helping to protect consumers of all ages during the 2022 holiday shopping season. Tis The Season To Shop Smart!

Ashley Byrne- It's time to Dress Vegan: Learn How Easy It Is to Save Animals and the Planet by Ditching Cashmere, Wool, Leather, Down, and Fur. Ashley will discuss how easy it is to help animals and the environment this winter by choosing vegan clothing and accessories. Dr. Katherine Tomasino discusses the importance of identifying the causes for problems with gut health and gives tips to help treat the condition. Treatments can help communication between the gut and the brain. Paul DelPonte reminds customers to buy real not counterfeit products and discusses how together the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are helping to protect consumers of all ages during the 2022 holiday shopping season. Tis The Season To Shop Smart!

Jeff Miller - Top 15 Private Wealth Advisors at Northwestern Mutual     Make a yearend financial checklist and review what you did in 2022, determine how you did in relation to your early year expectations and then get a positive start to 2023. Jeff Miller is one of the Top 15 Private Wealth Advisors at Northwestern Mutual every year since 2007 out of 6,400+ advisors. Jeff built his reputation through holistic financial planning and investment management. His process has been incorporated throughout Miller Financial Services as he seeks to first understand the uniqueness of each client's situation, followed by a thorough analysis, organization, and execution with regular monitoring of each individualized plan and portfolio. As 2022 is coming to an end, it's not too late to make sure your finances are in check ahead of the new year. Especially as the season of giving has arrived, a year-end financial checklist can help you achieve whatever goals you've set for yourself that you have not yet fulfilled. If you are struggling to get your spending plan to where you desire, a Northwestern Mutual financial expert can give tangible tips and tricks to help you stay motivated through the rest of the year as well as what to investigate when starting your year-end financial checklist. Tony Restell - Founder of Social-Hire        Try and get out in the market and sell whatever your product as quickly as you possibly can! Tony Restell is the Founder of Social-Hire, a leading UK social media marketing agency that helps businesses turn social media into a consistent source of leads and sales within 90 days. They have helped thousands of clients grow their businesses using social media at less than a 1/3 of the cost they would pay to hire an in-house social media manager. Before starting Social-Hire, Tony built and sold Top-Consultant, a successful job board business that served clients like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Coca-Cola, to the Daily Mail Group. He is also a guest speaker at dozens of leading business schools across Europe on how MBA students and alumni can leverage social media to further their careers or launch thriving businesses. Kathi Vidal - Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office  and Paul DelPonte - Head the National Crime Prevention Council Worldwide, the impact of counterfeit goods is about $1 trillion. And Los Angeles city alone it cost $483 million in lost taxes and 100,000 lost jobs.  [caption id="attachment_49990" align="alignright" width="150"] Kathi Vidal[/caption] The holiday hustle and bustle are in full swing as shoppers search for this year's best steals and deals. The good news, discounts are expected to hit record highs for popular categories such as electronics, computers, and toys according to Adobe's online-shopping forecast. However, scammers are looking to take advantage of American consumers as fears of a looming recession increase, and people tighten their purse strings leading up to the Holidays. These criminals are on the prowl both online and off looking to entice consumers with even lower-cost price tags attached to dangerous counterfeit products. This is especially true online as sales are expected to grow by 2.5% throughout December. The rise of e-commerce has led to an increase in sales and purchases of duped products. McGruff the Crime Dog®, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) are alerting people to these scams and educating them on how to spot the red flags this holiday season. Kathi Vidal is Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She leads one of the largest intellectual property (IP) offices in the world, with more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $4 billion. She is the principal IP advisor to the President and the Administration, through the Secretary of Commerce, and is focused on incentivizing and protecting U.S. innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Paul DelPonte is an accomplished nonprofit leader, award-winning consumer advocate, and pioneering communicator. Paul was appointed to head the National Crime Prevention Council in 2021. The nonprofit National Crime Prevention Council is home to McGruff the Crime Dog® and has helped generations of Americans Take A Bite Out Of Crime® through public education campaigns and advocating for public policies to make the U.S. safer. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. For more information, visit www.ncpc.org/goforreal and www.uspto.gov.

In this conversation, Jeff Harty speaks with Damian Porcari, regional director of the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office. Damian explains how the regional offices work and tells us about the many resources available to aspiring inventors and business owners. In this episode, Jeff Harty and Damian Porcari discuss: Damian's background in chemistry and his professional career, both of which helped form his views on intellectual property. Measuring impact qualitatively. Virtual hiring, training, and practice with the regional USPTO. USPTO resources for aspiring inventors and business owners. Key Takeaways: Working at the USPTO has allowed Damian to work with smaller businesses that succeed and can compete with international conglomerates. Counting things for the sake of counting things is not a true reflection of the impact of anything. Attorneys and judges are assigned to cases based on their own technical backgrounds, even if they are in different regions. Integrate the IP needs assessment into your business plan. Reassess it every year; your needs will grow and change as your business grows and changes. “The people that utilize the needs assessment, that actually go and answer all 60 questions thoughtfully, and then bring it to their advisers, whether they're lawyers or investors or partners, can essentially integrate those questions into their business plans.” —Damian Porcari   About Damian Porcari: Damian Porcari has been the regional director of the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) since September 2018. From 1989 to 2017, Damian worked for Ford Global Technologies LLC (FGTL) in Dearborn, Michigan, serving as its director of licensing and enforcement from 2005 to 2017. Damian is a named inventor on six U.S. patents and created one of the largest IP software companies in the world. He received a bachelor of science in chemistry from Michigan State University and a juris doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Episode References: USPTO Awareness Assessment: https://ipassessment.uspto.gov/ USPTO Startup Resources: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/startup-resources USPTO Events: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events Connect with Damian Porcari: Regional DirectorUSPTO - Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office300 River Place Drive | Suite 2900 | Detroit | Michigan | 48027 Website: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/uspto-locations/detroit-michigan Email: midwestregion@uspto.gov Email: dporcari@uspto.gov Phone: 313-446-4800 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-porcari-218b0475/ Connect with Jeff Harty: Website: https://nyemaster.com/attorney-directory/jeffrey-d-harty/Email: jharty@nyemaster.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harty-5a9a1643/

Paul DelPonte reminds customers to buy real not counterfeit products and discusses how together the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are helping to protect consumers of all ages during the 2022 holiday shopping season. Tis The Season To Shop Smart! Dr. Katherine Tomasino discusses the importance of identifying the causes for problems with gut health and gives tips to help treat the condition. Treatments can help communication between the gut and the brain.

Paul DelPonte reminds customers to buy real not counterfeit products and discusses how together the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are helping to protect consumers of all ages during the 2022 holiday shopping season. Tis The Season To Shop Smart! Dr. Katherine Tomasino discusses the importance of identifying the causes for problems with gut health and gives tips to help treat the condition. Treatments can help communication between the gut and the brain.

Erik Pelton has dedicated his career to making intellectual property protection understandable, accessible, and affordable for businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes and types. Erik began his career as a trademark examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before launching Erik M Pelton & Associates, PLLC (“EMP&A”), with the goal of making the process of protecting a company brand easy through the enduring ideals of great customer service, affordability, and clarity. Over a span of more than two decades, EMP&A clients have received more than 4,000 trademark registrations from the USPTO. In addition, Erik truly practices what he preaches, having registered more than a dozen trademarks of his own with the USPTO. Erik's book Building a Bold Brand is a single resource created for brand managers and business owners to learn essential branding and trademark tips gleaned from his expertise as an attorney, entrepreneur, and brand expert. Erik resides in northern Virginia with his wife and children, where he can often be found riding his bike or finding live music to listen to. Listen to this informative Tax-Alpha Solutions episode with Erik Pelton about branding in today's world.   Here is what to expect on this week's show: You don't go to school for the degree, you go for the education. How to reverse engineer your business from the inside. What are the headwinds with trademark law? What misunderstandings are there about web3?   Connect with Erik: https://www.erikpelton.com/ Matthew Chancey is a Registered Representative of Coastal Equities, Inc. and an Investment Advisory Representative of Coastal Investment Advisors, Inc. Neither Coastal Equities, Inc. nor Coastal Investment Advisors, Inc. is affiliated with Micel Financial LLC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Coastal Investment Advisors, Inc., and securities are offered through Coastal Equities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, 1201 N. Orange St., Suite 729, Wilmington, DE 19801. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special episode featuring Mr. Andrei Iancu, the former director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We begin our discussion with a background and interesting details about the USPTO, the launch of the Council For Innovation Promotion and the value of patents. Then we discuss the recent controversial anti-patent remarks made by Elon Musk and the landmark Supreme Court case bearing my guest's name, Iancu v. Brunetti, which was decided during Mr. Iancu's time at the USPTO. Enjoy and thank you for listening! Episode Notes: 1. Council for Innovation Promotion: www.C4IP.org 2. Iancu v. Brunetti, 139 S. Ct. 2294 (2019) The Fashion Law Network podcast and statements made are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. If you would like legal advice or a legal consultation you may contact me directly at kasia@caldwellip.com.

Our featured guest is one of the most respected and influential voices in intellectual property, particularly as it relates to innovation and patent policy. David Kappos has had a distinguished career steeped in leadership roles and IP. In this episode, he talks about how IP inspires him, the intersection of IP and government, the importance of maintaining strong IP systems in the United States, and the complicated topic of patent-eligible subject matter. In this episode, Jeff Harty and David Kappos discuss: How IP continues to motivate and inspire David in his career. How a strong patent system drives important investments in new technologies. Threats to intellectual property in the United States. Patent-eligible subject matter. Key Takeaways: IP is a key to solving all of the world's most daunting problems. Consumers must be prepared to pay higher prices in the short term for new and innovative products protected by patents. However, it's a long-term game, not about what is happening now.The Council for Innovation Promotion is helping to provide transparency and visibility into what those in Washington, D.C., are doing for and against intellectual property and the patent system. The law of subject matter eligibility for patents is confusing and unclear. Innovation tends to lag in the technology areas most affected, hurting U.S. companies and innovators. "If we, the U.S., want to continue to lead the world in opportunity, and if we, the world, want to improve our condition for humans and the planet more generally, we have to have a strong and effective IP system." —David Kappos   About David Kappos: David J. Kappos is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost leaders in the field of intellectual property, including intellectual property management and strategy, the development of global intellectual property norms, laws, and practices, as well as the commercialization and enforcement of innovation‑based assets. A partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, David handles complex intellectual property issues, including those pertaining to the blockchain, crypto assets, and fintech, as well as data security and privacy. From August 2009 to January 2013, he served as Under Secretary of Commerce and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Among his numerous awards, David was named one of the Top 25 Icons of IP by Law360, Outstanding Practitioner of the Year in IPTransactions by Managing IP, one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America by The National Law Journal, and was inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame byIntellectual Asset Management Magazine in 2012. Connect with David Kappos: Website: https://www.cravath.com/people/david-j-kappos.html LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kappos-57166113/ Council for Innovation Promotion Website: https://c4ip.org/ Council for Innovation Promotion Twitter: https://twitter.com/Council4IP Connect with Jeff Harty: Website: https://nyemaster.com/attorney-directory/jeffrey-d-harty/Email: jharty@nyemaster.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harty-5a9a1643/

Interested in learning about some of the initiatives that the US Patent and Trade Office is focused on? Well, you need to tune into this conversation with Kathi Vidal, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, also known as USPTO. As the Chief Executive of the USPTO, she leads one of the largest intellectual property offices in the world, with more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $4 billion! She is the principal IP advisor to President Biden and the Administration through the Secretary of Commerce and is focused on incentivizing and protecting U.S. innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. I am excited for you to hear more about the Office's focus on Inclusive Innovation, CI2, and WE, which is launching today. This is a must-listen that I know you will enjoy. Today on #TheKaraGoldinShow. Enjoying this episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow? Let me know by clicking on the links below and sending me a quick shout-out on social. Or reach out to me at karagoldin@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin/ https://www.instagram.com/karagoldin/ https://twitter.com/karagoldin https://www.facebook.com/KaraGoldin/ Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/317 To learn more about WE, USPTO and Kathi Vidal: Women's Entrepreneurship (WE) Initiative Summary https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathividal/ https://www.facebook.com/KathiKVidal https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspto/mycompany/verification/ https://twitter.com/uspto https://www.facebook.com/uspto.gov

From self-driving cars to voice automation in homes, inventors are developing ambitious AI technologies that will continue to impact the ways in which we learn, work, communicate, and travel. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the number of AI-related patents increased at an astonishing number, from 4,598 in 2008 to 20,639 in 2018. In this episode of Mind the Gap, Rama Elluru, a former Administrative Patent Judge on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the USPTO, and Christian Hannon, a patent attorney in the USPTO's Office of Policy and International Affairs, share their perspectives on how AI is impacting patent law and the inventor community.

As a product creator, how do you prevent confusion with other similarly-named products in the market? Josh is an intellectual property attorney specializing in trademark law. He joins Mark and Adam to discuss why trademarks exist to protect consumers, not businesses; the legal differences between ™️, ®, wordmark, and logomark; patent trolling and trademark bullying; and the APIs used to monitor trademark databases. Plus: the trademarks of Apple, Monster Energy, and LeBron James. @MuseAppHQ hello@museapp.com Show notes Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) Gerben Intellectual Property TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS) origin of the name “Google” Lanham Act retainer Metamuse episode on Brand US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) common law right Dove soap, Dove chocolate case law vs statute expert testimonial mutually assured destruction word mark vs logo mark trademark watch service trademark bullying Gerben Trademark Library

Federal mandates are strongly encouraging agencies to apply Zero Trust. You do not just put on a pair of shoes and run the Boston Marathon; in a similar vein, you do not flip a switch, and the next day your agency has applied Zero Trust Principles. You should understand how your system needs to be prepared, then design a plan that will make the transition timely and effective. Today's guests give guidelines on this “hygiene” and what transition concepts to keep in mind. Alvin "Tony" Plater, U.S. Department of the Navy, suggested that just because you are compliant, does not mean that your system is acceptable. Of course, he recognizes the value of regulations, but he thinks a well-structured system should go beyond compliance. For example, he views the importance of data integrity as a key component of maintaining existing systems. Zero Trust requires you to assign access to people based on many characteristics, one being their role. Nothing new here, Role Based Access Control has been around for decades, but its implementation has been cumbersome at best. Consider role-based controls that give ease of use for system administrators. Another aspect of hygiene is to make sure your existing systems all have user-supported versions. Using an older system that is about to go out of service has been called a “secretive vulnerability.”  Unfortunately, one unexpected consequence of this maintenance could be more vulnerabilities. The basic hygiene concept is you cannot go to Zero Trust without a clean start. From an architectural standpoint, you should know all your endpoints as well as have an enterprise architecture that can lock a malicious actor's exploits into a limited area, what some call a “limited blast radius.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was a pioneer in remote work, even before COVID. Leadership at the agency recognizes the fast change in technology, even in the past three years. For this reason, the USPTO is changing to a Secure Access Service Edge initiative that will increase the ability to dynamically filter endpoint activity. Humans have a dominant role in this transition. Each of the participants agrees that getting the right people behind the tools is the fastest way to increase security through Zero Trust.    

Tom Valone, Ph.D., P.E., is a retired Patent Examiner who has specialized in Future Energy technologies developed by Nikola Tesla and other inventors since 1984 when he gained his Masters Degree in Engineering Physics. He worked as a College Instructor in Physics, Robotics and Engineering Physics and earned his Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in 1990. He began working as a Patent Examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 1996. In 1999, Dr. Valone organized his first Conferences on Future Energy that was scheduled to be held at the US State Department, but led to media controversy when one of the scheduled presenters was to speak about the viability of Cold Fusion technology. The resulting Cold Fusion controversy led to the State Department officially withdrawing its support, forcing the Conference to be relocated to another venue, and his sacking by the USPTO. This led to a six year legal battle, which resulted in him being eventually reinstated in 2005, after gaining his Ph.D. in General Engineering. Dr Valone retired in 2017 after a 20 year career at the USPTO as a federal employee, and began working full time at his non-government organization, the Integrity Research Institute. He has written or edited multiple books dealing with Nikola Tesla, electrogravitic propulsion, electrotherapy, and zero point energy. He has personally invented or assisted in the invention of many breakthrough technologies, which are available at the Integrity Research Institute. In this interview with Dr. Michael Salla, Dr. Valone discusses how he became interested in Future Energy, Nikola Tesla, a century of suppression of breakthrough technologies, the role of the USPTO in this suppression, the controversy over his 1999 Conferences on Future Energy, the creation of his Integrity Research Institute, and some of the breakthrough electrogravitic propulsion, electrotherapy, and zero point energy inventions he has personally worked on or whose development he has supported. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/exopolitics/support

Today's guest has been an employee of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) since 1989. Today, James Wilson is the Assistant Regional Director of their Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office (the first one to be established outside of the DC area) which offers a variety of resources to 9 states across the region.  From trademark basics boot camps to courses on how to protect your technology abroad, the Midwest Regional Office offers virtual training courses for various virtual training courses for every stage of the patent and trademark journey. You will walk away from this conversation with a renewed appreciation for the impactful work being done by the USPTO!   In This Episode: [02:48] James shares an overview of the exciting journey that has been his career. [07:44] How James became an employee of the USPTO in 1989. [10:56] Positive impacts that the USPTO Midwest Regional Office has had (and continues to have) on small business owners and inventors in the area.  [13:44] A list of the 9 states covered by the USPTO Midwest Regional Office, and the various services that they offer to these states.   [16:32] How to stay up to date with the programs being offered by the USPTO Midwest Regional Office. [17:18] What the USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Centers are, and the benefits that they confer. [19:10] Hire an attorney; why this is the first step that James recommends taking to secure your intellectual property.  [21:17] Goals of the USPTO's Patent Pro-Bono Program and Law School Clinic Certification Program. [23:05] Other ways in which attorneys can become involved with the USPTO. [24:04] Upcoming training programs being offered by the USPTO Midwest Regional Office.  [25:39] James's first wish for the future of the USPTO. [26:05] The moment that James realized the significance of his work.  [27:07] James's second and third wishes for the future of the USPTO.   Find James: Email USPTO (Events)