Patent Office Director
David Kappos on innovation
Each month we interview a different leader in innovation. This month: Q&A with David Kappos, the newly appointed Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), whom we met when he visited our hometown of San Francisco in mid October, and then interviewed recently for this newsletter. Kappos is an engineer-turned lawyer who headed patenting at tech giant IBM—so let’s just say he’s seen more than a few patents over the years—before President Obama tapped him for government service as the nation’s top patent person. Here’s perspective from the Director:
Q: What’s been your biggest surprise since moving from the private sector to the USPTO?
David: I have to say that I have a new appreciation for the challenges that come with running a complex agency within the U.S. government.
Q: What's been the most fun part of your relatively new job?
David: The last several weeks have been a blur of intense activity as we have rolled out a number of new initiatives and policies at the USPTO. So it was a special pleasure for me to participate in activities on our campus and at the White House honoring the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the National Medal of Science Laureates.
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In this issue
- Patent Office Director David Kappos on innovation
- Positive changes at the USPTO
- Case study: Power Leash™ launch lessons
- Kids + Bubble Wrap® = $10,000 Invention
- FYI: Upcoming tradeshows
for new inventions
- More headlines from AbsolutelyNew
- Invention quote of the month
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Positive Changes at the USPTO
Ten months into the Obama Administration, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) is making some significant changes. We tend to like them, because they’re good for inventors. Among those changes, USPTO has:
• Launched a new USPTO website. This reinvented site is much easier to navigate than the old one, so you’ll definitely want to check it out for rules, requirements and helpful tips from Uncle Sam’s patent people.
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AbsolutelyNew is the consumer goods company that partners with inventors to launch innovative products. As a Certified Professional member of the United Inventors Association, the company also offers services including product development, marketing and licensing. www.absolutelynew.com
Case study:
Power Leash™ launch lessons
Every product experience is of course unique, but each also offers learning that can be leveraged by others.
This month we go deep into the Power Leash™ weighted exercise system now reaching Petco stores, sharing the behind-the-scenes story and lessons from its launch.
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Kids + Bubble Wrap® =
$10,000 Invention
In our August newsletter, we mentioned an Inventors Digest student invention competition. We’re now back to mention several more competitions for the next generation of inventors. And these offer some serious cash prizes for the winners. Check ‘em out:
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FYI: Upcoming tradeshows for new inventions
Tradeshows are great for showcasing inventions and/or making contacts with industry leaders. The key is to plan ahead, to get the most out of each show you attend. So looking beyond this month, here’s a list of U.S. tradeshows happening in the December to March window.
<<See Calendar>>
More headlines from AbsolutelyNew
• AbsolutelyNew Launches 10 Inventive Products in PETCO
• Migraine Pain is Contagious, Costing U.S. Businesses Billions Annually
Invention quote of the month
“Move fast and break things. Unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough.”
— Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, as quoted by Silicon Alley Insider
Copyright 2009 AbsoluteyNew, Inc.