Opponents of patent rights continue to propagate the false narrative that large numbers of “bad patents” pose an existential threat to inventors and the future of our innovation ecosystem. The 2024 “Year in Review” article published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a notable example of this. It claims that to combat a glut
C4IP is recognizing Warren S. Johnson (1847-1911), who helped millions of Americans live in comfort with his invention of the first temperature regulation system. Growing up in rural Wisconsin in the mid-1800s, Johnson’s passion for learning led him to embark on a career as a teacher and school administrator despite lacking a formal education. As
In a piece published by Law360, C4IP Co-Chair and former USPTO Director David Kappos debunks myths about the pharmaceutical industry’s alleged exploitation of the patent system, including claims of so-called “patent thickets” and “evergreening.” Citing a 2024 USPTO study, Kappos highlights the lack of evidence for these practices and warns that misguided legislative efforts to
In their new paper published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, C4IP Co-Chairs and former USPTO Directors Andrei Iancu and David Kappos emphasize that strong intellectual property (IP) protections are essential for fostering innovation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). They argue that AI’s advancement depends on human ingenuity and that, without robust patent
January marked the beginning of a new presidential administration and Congress, ushering in continued opportunities for meaningful policy advancements in the years ahead. C4IP extends its congratulations to our newly elected and appointed leaders and looks forward to collaborating with them to strengthen intellectual property rights and reinforce America’s position as a global leader in
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From cooking to climate control, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of January: 1950: On January 24, Percy Spencer received a patent
Patent rights have been a key driver of U.S. prosperity since they were enshrined in our Constitution more than 230 years ago. America’s status as the world’s strongest economy, our role in pioneering new technologies, and our continued national security all rely on patent laws that promote innovation by guaranteeing inventors an exclusive right to
In their new opinion piece published in The Well News, C4IP Co-Chairs and former USPTO Directors Andrei Iancu and David Kappos debunk the notion of a patent quality crisis in the United States, citing a recent study that underscores the strength of our patent system. According to Iancu and Kappos, the study found that the
C4IP Board Member and former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals Paul Michel recently penned an op-ed in the DC Journal shining a spotlight on how Big Tech companies undermine smaller businesses by exploiting the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). These companies overwhelm their smaller rivals with costly patent invalidation challenges at
The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) and the Promoting and the Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act (PREVAIL) Act have continued to face attacks from anti-patent groups. One recent example is an article published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which argues that PERA and PREVAIL would “make the patent system even worse” and
C4IP is recognizing William Kroll, who revolutionized America’s high-tech industries by making mass production of titanium possible. Kroll was born in Luxembourg in 1889 and studied engineering in Germany before returning to his home country and inventing a process to produce pure titanium, a strong yet lightweight metal that had previously been difficult to obtain.
As December draws to a close, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year! We look forward to a productive 2025, and we thank you for your continued support. December Highlights: Advancing the RESTORE Patent Rights Act The bipartisan RESTORE Patent Rights Act, introduced in July by a
