LES Local Chapter

LES Silicon Valley Chapter

"Start-up Time" Preparing For Your New Tomorrow…

By Carla J. Blackman

Invention and entrepreneurship were highlighted in "Start-up Time," a presentation by William Seidel, President of America Invents, LLC. It was the latest in a series of workshops on navigating the invention process organized by LES Silicon Valley Chapter and the California Invention Center. Held on August 8 at the USPTO-Silicon Valley Office, there were 34 attendees.

William Seidel, author of "Licensing Myths & Mastery: Why Most Ideas Don't Work and What To Do About It," discussed his next book "Inventrepreneurship" where the entrepreneurial inventor does it all. Mr. Seidel is the principal of America Invents that develops, licenses, and markets products and is a consultancy for strategic development. He was an innovator in the solar energy industry in the 70s, the electronic toy industry in the 80s, the appliance, marketing, and infomercial industries in the 90s, and currently focuses on consumer products. With revenues of $2 billion in 50,000 stores worldwide, America Invents is one of few companies in this field creating sizable success. As adjunct faculty at the University of California at Berkeley, he wrote, taught, and instituted Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Direct Marketing Program. He also taught Product Development and Product Design at San Francisco State University.

The event was organized by Larry Udell, LES SVC co-chair and Soody Tronson, WIL Chair. "Attendees heard from a very experienced marketing expert on what is required for the success of a new product," said Larry Udell. He added that questions from the audience indicated their high interest in transitioning from inventor to entrepreneur.

Larry Udell, co-chair of the LES SVC chapter speaks at workshop.

LES Washington D.C. Chapter

One Night Only: Two Chief Federal Circuit Judges, An Evening With Judges Michel And Rader

By Ray Van Dyke, Chapter Chair, Washington D.C.

The Washington D.C. Chapter had a lively and informative meeting with two world IP policy makers, former Chief Federal Circuit Judges Randall Rader and Paul Michel.  It was held on Wednesday, July 25, with almost 30 attendees, hosted by Sidley Austin LLP.

Judge Michel spoke first on the current state of the patent system, and the serious problems facing the patent community in obtaining patent rights, leveraging patent rights and enforcing patent rights.  He also spoke on current legislation and said that at present there were no anti-patent bills pending in Congress, and several Senators, including Coons, were favorable to improving the patent system.  One such bill is the STONGER act currently pending.  One big point was his indication of the downturn for patents being the eBay decision, where the Supreme Court removed the automatic injunction for patent infringement, leaving patentees without the major settlement tool.

Judge Rader then spoke seriously about the failure of the U.S. institutions to act according to the statutes, and instead undermine the patent system at every turn. By contrast, China and other Asian countries are funding efforts to improve their patent systems, have far better prospects for the review and approval of critical technologies, and are thus providing a better platform for international companies desirous of obtaining strong patent rights, now being denied in the U.S. due to the failure of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit, district courts, the USPTO, the press and others. In particular, the Chinese government and the courts there are providing a viable alternative for innovators, an alarming yet ever-growing concern for the U.S.

Attendees enjoyed networking opportunities before and after the speakers, including appetizers and an open bar.

Vint Cerf (left) with Ray Van Dyke, Chair LES Washington D.C. Chapter.

LES Orange County Chapter Event

By Paul Conover

The LES chapter of Orange County, California, was recently reconstituted with a new slate of leaders and a kick-off lunch presentation on June 28, at the Irvine offices of Knobbe Martens. The speaker was Dr. Richard Sudek, the Chief Innovation Office of the University of California at Irvine and the Executive Director of UCI's Institute for Applied Innovation. 

Before an audience of about 30 people, Dr. Sudek explained how intellectual property drives job creation and economic prosperity for communities and regions. With supporting statistics and stories, he demonstrated that Orange County's economic growth comes largely from investment in inventions, and that UCI's  intellectual property creators and its system for incubating and fostering new ideas and new companies based on those ideas has been a major economic driver for the county and surrounding areas. 

Several more events for the OC LES Chapter are contemplated in the near future which will build on the momentum created by this first event. MCLE credits are often available.