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
In their new opinion piece published in The Hill, C4IP Co-Chairs and former USPTO Directors Andrei Iancu and David Kappos call attention to a growing threat to American innovation: the erosion of patent enforcement, which in recent years has allowed intellectual property theft to go largely unpunished. Even after securing a patent and successfully proving
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize the vital role women have played in shaping innovation — like Mary Anderson, who patented the windshield wiper in 1903, or Jennifer Doudna, inventor of the CRISPR gene-editing tool. Historically, strong intellectual property protections have empowered women to turn their groundbreaking ideas into transformative inventions.
Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From telecommunications to trade, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of February: 1990: On February 13, Klein Gilhousen, Irwin Jacobs, and Lindsay
February Highlights: Debunking Patent Myths With Our New Video Series In recent months, anti-patent activists have continued to spread false narratives about patent rights, claiming that companies abuse the patent system to stifle competition. To counter these common myths, C4IP launched a Patent Myth Video Series to provide brief and accessible explanations of how patents
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
