C4IP is honoring Malcom McLean (1913-2001), whose invention of containerized shipping revolutionized global trade. Born into a farming family in North Carolina, McLean started a successful trucking company during the Great Depression, but he became frustrated by the time he spent waiting for crates to be transferred between trucks and ships. Believing there was
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From fabric to fitness, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of September: 1976: On September 28, Takao Satoh and Kazutaka Horino received
September Highlights: C4IP Launches New Website to Correct Patent Misinformation For years, the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge — better known as I-MAK — has sought to undermine America’s intellectual property system by advancing false narratives about drug patents. I-MAK purports to explain these myths, such as “patent thickets” and “product hopping,” using data.
In a recent op-ed for Bloomberg Law, C4IP Board Members and retired Federal Circuit Judges Paul Michel and Kathleen O’Malley argue that Congress must pass the bipartisan Patent Eligibility Restoration Act in order to repair the damage the Supreme Court has inflicted on America’s innovation ecosystem. For more than a decade, a series of rulings
This month, C4IP is honoring John B. Goodenough (1922-2023), whose work on the invention of the lithium-ion battery powers billions of high-tech devices and is reshaping renewable energy. Born in Germany and raised in Connecticut, Goodenough earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago after serving in World War II and went on
This chaotic area of law harms American innovation and competitiveness Without Congressional consideration or endorsement, the Supreme Court has fundamentally altered the U.S. patent system by deciding that certain categories of innovation should not receive patents by widening the “judicial exceptions” to what is eligible to be patented under 35 U.S.C. § 101. Starting in
Myths about how patent rights affect competition within the drug industry remain a pressing issue for innovators. Although strong patents play a crucial role in promoting innovation — both in the drug industry and in other sectors — lawmakers and activists cite these myths as evidence of the need for legislation that would limit or
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From entertainment to housework, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of August: 1960: On August 23, Peter Goldmark received a patent for
August Highlights: Setting the Record Straight on the DOJ/FTC Listening Sessions The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission recently hosted listening sessions on “Lowering Americans’ Drug Prices Through Competition.” While aimed at exploring ways to expand generic and biosimilar availability, the sessions amplified misleading claims about the patent system — such as allegations of
In a new piece for Newsweek, Mircea Geoană, former NATO deputy secretary general and president of the Aspen Institute Romania, and Andrei Iancu, C4IP co-chair and former USPTO Director, warn that protecting intellectual property (IP) is not merely a trade issue, but a national security imperative. Strong and enforceable IP rights give innovators the confidence
In a piece published by Newsweek, C4IP Board Member and former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke explains how, even as Chinese companies debut world-class technologies — like BYD’s lightning-quick EV charger and DeepSeek’s powerful AI model — some Chinese businesses and leaders are undermining the international agreements that underpin global innovation. Locke points to
In a new Law360 op-ed, C4IP Board Member and former Federal Judge Kathleen O’Malley explains why Congress should advance bipartisan reforms that would strengthen America’s patent system and protect innovation. She points to three bills as critical starting points. The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act would restore clarity for patent eligibility in emerging high-tech fields like
