Collaborating with the Inventors Association of Georgia (IAG), the PTRC at the Georgia Tech Library organized the “Inventing the Future 2012” – a whole day seminar in the brand new Clough Commons building, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, About 160 enthusiastic inventors, students and professionals participated in the seminar which covered topics such as how the new law (the American Invent Act) affects inventors; provisional application for patents best practices; technology commercialization and licensing, as well as tips for manufacturing and business development. The invited speakers included experts from the USPTO, Georgia Tech Technology Licensing, Inventors Association of Georgia, local IP law firms, and the Georgia Small Business Development Center. An inventor spotlight event during the lunch hour highlighted a group of selected inventors showcasing their invention ideas. The panel session at the end of the program generated live discussions with experts. The participants were very pleased with the knowledge and information obtained through the seminar.
By Lisha Li
When Lisha Li was selected for this year’s PTRC Fellow I was called upon to fill in while she is gone. So, in September, after a five year retirement hiatus, I returned to provide patent and trademark information at the Georgia Tech Library.
On September 24, 2012, Georgia Tech hosted the American Invents Act Roadshow. Nearly 200 local attorneys, inventors, businessmen, and students packed the Student Center Theater. The Georgia Bar Association registered many attorneys in order for them to earn CLE (continuing Legal Education) credits. They came early and stayed late.
We were honored to welcome Ms. Focarino, the Commissioner of Patents, to our campus as well as her competent staff of coworkers, who made the day flow smoothly. Local Intellectual Property attorneys were grateful for this opportunity to get clarification concerning the proposed rules regarding the implementation of the AIA and to provide their input and opinions as well. The Bar Association also provided a very welcome reception at the end of the long day.