The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has helped spread the word about intellectual property (IP) at South by Southwest (SXSW) in years past, and we are looking forward to 2019. The annual SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas, provides an opportunity for global professionals at every level to participate, network, and discuss economic and cultural issues. The wide range of participating individuals and organizations have one thing in common: they all work with intellectual property (IP).
Representatives from the USPTO will also be participating in various conference events, as well as hosting a booth at the SXSW Trade Show. The 2019 SXSW Conference takes place March 8-18, 2019.
Visit the SXSW conference sessions page for more information.
Our activities and panels
March 9
IP to IPO: Protect and Get Your Idea to Market
You’ve got a great idea, but now what? Whether you want to produce and market your invention yourself or license it to another company, the best way for you to profit from your idea is to file for a patent with the USPTO. Our speakers will discuss how and why inventors should obtain IP protections and how entrepreneurs benefit from those protections.
March 10-13
South by Southwest Conference Trade Show
Representatives from the Texas Regional USPTO will be available to discuss the office’s services with conference attendees.
March 11
IP and the Internet of Things
By 2020, there may be nearly 50 billion smart devices seeking to communicate and share data to enhance user experiences amongst the IoT. This paradigm shift presents difficult questions regarding innovation, IP rights, and access to technology. Our speakers will discuss the issues and opportunities in standardization and its role in innovation in the midst of increasing demand for IoT infrastructure in daily life.
Fueling American Innovation to Inspire Tomorrow’s Women Technologists
The United States needs to broaden its innovation ecosphere demographically, geographically, and economically. America needs more inventors participating in the many benefits U.S. patents can provide. The USPTO looks forward to working with industry, academia, and other government agencies to identify ways to increase the number of women inventors in all sectors of our economy. Ingrid Vanderveldt will moderate this 60-minute panel where USPTO leaders, entrepreneurs, and inventors will discuss how to create and enrich opportunities for women in tech. Please visit the panel event page for more information.
March 12
CTA: The Crossroads of Technology and Innovation, Fireside Chat with USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
This event is a segment of the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) Innovation Policy Day 2019. During this event, USPTO Director Andrei Iancu will discuss the importance of innovation and technology, and what the USPTO is doing to encourage innovation. Michael Patrick Hayes, Consumer Technology Association Government Affairs Senior Manager will moderate this event. For more information about this event, please visit CTA event page.