Former USPTO Director and C4IP Co-Chair David Kappos is sounding the alarm on an emerging international threat to American innovation: the growing push to strip U.S. companies of their intellectual property rights. In a new IAM op-ed, Kappos highlights efforts by global institutions like the WTO and WHO to weaken IP protections — first by
C4IP is honoring Norman Joseph Woodland (1921-2012) and Bernard Silver (1924-1963), whose invention of the barcode forever changed the way goods are tracked, sold, and managed worldwide. Woodland and Silver, who were both graduate students at Drexel Institute of Technology, developed the idea for their invention in 1948 when Silver overheard a food chain executive
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From recreation to transportation, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of April: 1903: On April 28, Luigi Bezzerra received a patent for
April Highlights: C4IP’s Government Agenda Leads the Way on IP Reform The intellectual property system that has powered American prosperity for over 200 years is facing increased threats — from uncertainty surrounding the patent eligibility of emerging technologies like AI to patent and trademark manipulation by foreign adversaries like China. But with those challenges come
Every April 26, World Intellectual Property Day invites us to celebrate the critical role that intellectual property (IP) plays in enabling the technological innovation that drives human progress. This year’s theme is the intersection of music and IP. Behind every beat, chart-topping hit, and creative breakthrough is a foundation of strong IP protections. Copyrights, patents,
C4IP is recognizing Mary Anderson (1866-1953), whose patented invention of the windshield wiper improved vehicle safety and paved the way for modern automotive technologies. Born in Greene County, Alabama, Anderson visited New York City in 1902 where she observed that trolley car drivers had to open their windows in rain or snow to see the
Critics of the U.S. patent system are increasingly targeting follow-on innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector. In an effort to weaken follow-on patents — or those issued after a product has already been introduced — they claim that these innovations are trivial, extend exclusivity unfairly, and drive up drug costs. But as a new report from
C4IP is launching a new Q&A series to periodically spotlight the insights and interests of our coalition’s leaders and other prominent IP advocates. In March, we caught up with our new Chief Operating Officer, John Cabeca. From global IP dynamics to policy roadblocks to favorite places he’s visited — John shares his thoughts below: C4IP:
March was a busy month for C4IP! We added to our leadership and engaged in advocacy on a variety of issues, from patent eligibility for AI inventions to the enforcement of U.S. patent rights abroad. Here’s a roundup of all that we accomplished over the past month: On April 26, C4IP will celebrate World IP
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From public health to phone calls, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of March: 1912: On March 12, Ada Henry Van Pelt
Discussions about China’s treatment of intellectual property have recently intensified in Washington, with some policymakers weighing more drastic measures to counteract perceived abuses. While concerns about China’s approach to IP are justified, some commonly repeated claims mischaracterize the problem — potentially leading to policy decisions that could backfire on American innovators. As policymakers consider responses
C4IP is recognizing John R. Pierce (1910-2002), the visionary engineer whose work on communications satellites paved the way for global connectivity. Pierce’s early fascination with electronics and radio waves led him from his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, to Caltech and then to Bell Labs, where he spent over 35 years as a prolific inventor
