Science Results from the James Webb Space Telescope, Measuring Innovation and Competitiveness in the U.S. and EU, and PPAC’s Next Regular Meeting at the USPTO
This week in Washington IP news, the House Space Subcommittee takes a look at the first few images and scientific measurements that have been captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, while the Senate Judiciary Committee vets several nominees to federal judgeships including a couple of judges chosen for appellate courts seeing much of the country’s IP appeals. Elsewhere, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation releases the findings of a joint study on competitiveness and innovation in North America and Europe, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office hosts the latest regular meeting of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and Brookings Institution discusses the role of state and local regulators in regulating digital assets and cryptocurrency.
Monday, November 14
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
One-Day Patents Boot Camp
At 9:00 AM on Monday at The Little Brick Church, 112 2nd Ave. East, Oneonta, AL 35121.
On Monday, the USPTO will host a one-day patents boot camp, an all-day event designed to teach entrepreneurs and inventors from communities with limited Internet access about the process of filing a patent application through patent issuance. Topics covered during this workshop include the importance of patent claims, how to search prior art, electronic filing through the Patent Center and the proper drafting of patent claims.
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Center for Data Innovation
The Costs and Benefits of Security-by-Design in the Cyber Resilience Act
At 9:00 AM on Monday, online video webinar.
This September, the European Commission published a proposed legislative package referred to as the Cyber Resilience Act, which if enacted would be the first EU law to prescribe certain levels of security for electronic products throughout the product’s lifecycle, and give users more options for cybersecurity protections in products having digital elements. While proponents of the bill expect that it will reduce cyber risks for the Internet of Things, but critics have argued that the new law could actually harm innovation without addressing technological risks that could arise in the future. A discussion at this event, hosted by ITIF’s Center for Data Innovation, will feature a panel including Anna Bosch, Senior Policy Associate, ACT, The App Association; Katerina Demetzou, Policy Counsel for Global Privacy, Future of Privacy Forum; Raluca Stefanuc, Policy Officer, DG Connect; and moderated by Kir Nuthi, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Data Innovation.
Brookings Institution
US Defense Innovation and Great Power Deterrence
At 2:00 PM on Monday at Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Maintaining technological dominance over foreign rivals requires the United States military to engage in a constant effort to invest in research and development of next generation weapons and surveillance systems. This event, hosted by Brookings Institution’s Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, will explore progress made by the Biden Administration on responding to the challenges posed by military modernization with a panel including Christian Brose, Chief Strategy Officer, Anduril Industries; David A. Ochmanek, Senior Defense Analyst, RAND Corporation; Caitlin Talmadge, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology; and moderated by Michael E. O’Hanlon, Director of Research, Foreign Policy, and Director, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Co-Director, Africa Initiative, The Sydney Stein, Jr. Chair, and the Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy.
Tuesday, November 15
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
International Agents and Attorneys: Learn to Think Like a Patent Examiner With STEPP’s Four-Day Course
At 8:00 AM on Tuesday, online video webinar.
Tuesday marks the start of the USPTO’s four-day Stakeholder Training on Examiner Practice and Procedure (STEPP) course. This course is designed to teach foreign patent agents and attorneys who represent inventors at the USPTO regarding patent examiner practices under the Manual for Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Topics covered during the four-day course include steps examiners take when reading a patent application for the first time, how they analyze issues under the patentability statutes and how they write office actions.
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Regional Competitiveness and Technological Innovation: Comparing North America and the EU and Learning From Best Practices
At 10:00 AM Eastern on Tuesday, online and live in Brussels, Belgium.
This week, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is hosting an event in Brussels, Belgium, in partnership with the Institute for Competitiveness (I-Com) and the German Economic Institute (IW) to release the findings of a joint study. The Transatlantic Competitiveness and Innovation Index provides a measurement of innovation and competitiveness metrics across subnational economic systems in North America and Europe. The Index will be presented jointly by Stefano da Empoli, President, I-Com; Stephen Ezell, Vice President, Global Innovation Policy, ITIF; and Axel Plunnecke, Head of the Cluster Education, Innovation, Immigration, IW. Following that presentation will be a discussion on how transatlantic relationship can help innovation with a panel including Gerard de Graaf, EU Senior Envoy for Digital to the US; Michael Rogers, Director for Europe, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Stefan Berger, MEP ECON Committee; Eleonora Faina, General Manager, Anitec-Assinform, The Italian ICT Industry Association; Thomas Koenen, Head of Digitalisation and Innovation, German Business Association (BDI); and moderated by Hubertus Bardt, Head of Research, IW.
Brookings Institution
Digital Asset Revolution: The State Perspective
At 2:00 PM on Tuesday, online video webinar.
Despite wild fluctuations in value, there remains a lot of optimism about the future of digital assets and the possible incorporation of cryptocurrencies into national financial systems. State and federal regulators, however, have been grappling with how to support the role that cryptocurrencies are increasingly playing in the global financial system while also ensuring that proper consumer protections are worked into their digital platforms. This event, hosted by Brookings Institution’s Center on Regulation and Markets, will feature a keynote address on the state’s role in cryptocurrency regulation with Adrienne A. Harris, Superintendent, New York Department of Financial Services. The event will also feature two panel discussions, the first on safety and soundness regulation in virtual currency with a panel including Dennis Kelleher, President and CEO, Better Markets; Jai Massari, Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Lightspark; Pete Marton, Virtual Currency Chief, New York State Department of Financial Services; and moderated by Sarah Hammer, Managing Director, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School. A second discussion on consumer protection in virtual currency with a panel including Tonantzin Carmona, David M. Rubenstein Fellow, Brookings Metro; Andrea Donkor, Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Relations and Consumer Practices, Chief Compliance Officer, PayPal; Jack Solowey, Policy Analyst, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute; and moderated by Kaitlin Asrow, Executive Deputy Superintendent of Research and Innovation, New York State Department of Financial Services.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Blockchain & IP: Stakeholder Spotlight
At 4:00 PM on Tuesday, online video webinar.
This USPTO workshop features case studies of applications of blockchain innovation in several industries including supply chain management, financial and insurance. This event is part of the USPTO’s AI Partnership, Blockchain & IP series.
New America
“You Are Not Expected to Understand This” with Torie Bosch
At 6:00 PM on Tuesday at New America, 740 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005.
The recently published essay collection You Are Not Expected to Understand This, edited by Torie Bosch, offers viewpoints from technologists on the essence of computer programming and how coding reflects humanity, for better and for worse. This New America event will celebrate the publication of this book and feature talks from several speakers whose writings are featured in the collection, including Arthur Daemmrich, Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, Smithsonian Institution; Charles Duan, Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University, Senior Policy Fellow, Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property, American University; Will Oremus, Technology Writer, The Washington Post; Elena Botella, Principal, Omidyar Network; and moderated by Torie Bosch, Editor, Future Tense.
Wednesday, November 16
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Patent Public Advisory Committee Public Meeting
At 9:00 AM on Wednesday, online video webinar.
On Wednesday morning, the USPTO will host the latest regular meeting of the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC), which advises the USPTO on the patent-side activities of the nation’s patent and trademark office. Topics covered during the PPAC meeting will include an update on strengthening robust and reliable patent rights, the agency’s progress on implementing AI and upgrading their information technology systems, as well as global developments on AI policy related to inventorship and other IP subjects.
House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
Unfolding the Universe: Initial Science Results From the James Webb Space Telescope
At 10:30 AM in 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.
After being launched into space last December, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has already made great contributions to the scientific community’s understanding of outer space. Last week, the Space Telescope Science Institute operating the JWST released images captured by the telescope of the dwarf galaxy Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte (WLM), an isolated system of stars and other celestial objects that researchers believe can provide good insights into star formation and the earliest dates of the universe. Dr. Mark Clampin, Astrophysics Division Director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Dr. Steven L. Finkel, Professor of Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin; and Dr. Natalie Batalha, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Director of Astrobiology, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Brookings Institution
Racial Equity and Inclusion and Tech: Can Apprenticeships Help Change Hiring Practices?
At 12:00 PM on Wednesday, online video webinar.
In the summer of 2020, several major tech firms including Netflix and Cisco signed a commitment to racial equity advanced by the Business Roundtable. However, from 2014 through 2021, there has only been a 1 percent increase in the amount of Black representation in tech companies. This event, hosted by Brookings Metro and the Kapor Center and taking place during National Apprenticeship Week 2022, explores ways that apprenticeship programs can aid efforts to accelerate racial diversity quicker than hiring practices following degree-based screening principles. A discussion on improving racial diversity through tech apprenticeships will feature a panel including Papia Debroy, Senior Vice President of Insights, [email protected]; Lili Gangas, Chief Tech Community Officer, Kapor Center; Bryce Jackson, Tech Apprentice, Bitwise Industries; Jacqui Watts, Technical Instructor and Curriculum Designer, Airbnb; and moderated by Annelies Goger, Fellow, Brookings Metro.
Thursday, November 17
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Executive Business Meeting
At 9:00 AM on Thursday in 216 Hart Senate Office Building.
On Thursday morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee will convene an executive business meeting to discuss several Biden Administration nominees to serve on the federal judiciary. This includes nominees to circuit courts of appeal that hear a large percentage of appeals of intellectual property decisions in U.S. district court, including Anthony Davos Johnstone, to serve as a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; and Maria Araújo Kahn, to serve as a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Learn About Presenting Technology in America Invents Act (AIA) Proceedings
At 12:00 PM on Thursday, online video webinar.
This USPTO workshop, part of the agency’s Boardside Chat series, is designed to teach attendees about how to properly present technology to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board during validity trials being conducted under the America Invents Act (AIA). The workshop will feature a presentation by a panel including Brian McNamara, Administrative Patent Judge; Kimberly McGraw, Administrative Patent Judge; Russell Cass, Administrative Patent Judge; Charles R. Macedo, Partner, Amster Rothstein & Ebenstein, LLP; and Brian Murphy, Partner, Haug Partners LLP.
Friday, November 18
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Innovator Diversity Pilots Conference
At 12:00 PM Eastern on Friday at Santa Clara University School of Law, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053.
This all-day conference, hosted by the USPTO in partnership with the Santa Clara University School of Law, will explore pilot projects and effective practices aimed at increasing the representation of women among U.S. inventors. Topics covered during the conference include case studies on diversity practices and best practices laid out in the IPO Diversity Toolkit.
Center for Strategic & International Studies
Spurring Regional and Inclusive Innovation: A Discussion with EDA Asst. Sec. Alejandra Castillo
At 1:30 PM on Friday, online video webinar.
The CHIPS and Science Act, the massive competition and R&D investment bill passed by Congress this August, includes a large number of provisions designed to promote innovation across entire regions of the United States. Under the bill, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is responsible for overseeing a pair of regional innovation programs, including the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program, which will bring together local governments, private businesses and institutes of higher education to create innovation partnerships, and the $1 billion RECOMPETE pilot program, which will create economic development in distressed communities. This event will feature a discussion with Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development; and Tom Guevara, Senior Advisor (Non-resident), Renewing American Innovation Project, CSIS.
