Published on: 12/11/2018 14:56 PM
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 The USPTO's review of major activities
and initiatives in November
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Remarks by Director Iancu at the 10th Annual Patent Law & Policy Conference
 “It will be of little avail to the people … if the laws be so incoherent that they cannot be understood,” James Madison said in 1788. Known as the “Father of the Constitution,” Madison also recognized the importance of intellectual property (IP). In Federalist 43, for example, he addressed the Constitutional power to create an IP system, stating that “the utility of this power will scarcely be questioned” because “the public good fully coincides … with the claims of individuals.”
Madison was right. Based on this careful balance between the rights of the individuals and those of the public, intellectual property has been the engine behind America’s economic and cultural development from the very start of the republic. But for the IP system to work as intended, we must ensure that our laws are clear and that the IP rights we issue are predictable, reliable, and of high quality.
Read the full remarks from Director Iancu.
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Remarks by Director Iancu at 2018 National Lawyers Convention
 As you can imagine, the USPTO has vast reserves of scientific data contained in the more than 1 million patent and trademark applications we receive every year. Indeed, our patent, trademark, and other related data are among our most important assets. Many depend on our data. Whether it’s an independent inventor working in her garage or lab to better understand her innovation compared to the existing landscape, or a large multi-national corporation considering whether to invest in developing new strategic technologies, creating new brands, or acquiring existing patent portfolios, just about everyone uses the USPTO’s data to keep up with the pace of innovation and entrepreneurship.
We, too, as an agency, are leveraging this invaluable data so we can more efficiently and effectively fulfill our constitutional mandate “to promote the progress of science and useful arts.” Let me share with you just a few ways we’re doing this.
Read the full remarks from Director Iancu.
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A tribute to veterans
 There are currently more than 20 million U.S. veterans, over 1.2 million men and women serving on active duty in our armed forces and another 800,000 in the reserves. Many millions more have served in uniform since the birth of our nation, in peacetime and war. Behind every one of them is a story – of struggle, perseverance, camaraderie, triumph, and sometimes even tragedy. At the USPTO, we are committed to working with veterans who are transitioning or have recently transitioned from active duty.
Read the blog by Director of the USPTO Andrei Iancu.
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Passage of the Music Modernization Act
 As part of our work here at the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) we provide deep expertise that can help advise other government bodies on all aspects of intellectual property. As significant legislation was passed by Congress over the past few weeks on a host of IP issues, we stood ready to help and offer further guidance.
First, on October 11, President Trump signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. This bi-partisan bill passed both chambers of Congress unanimously. The new Act updates copyright law to reflect the realities of music licensing in the digital age and also seeks to adequately compensate legacy artists and music producers for the fruits of their labor.
Read the blog by Director of the USPTO Andrei Iancu.
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Patents for Humanity awards ceremony
 On November 27, the USPTO held the Patents for Humanity awards ceremony. Patents for Humanity is the USPTO’s awards competition recognizing innovators who use game-changing technology to meet global humanitarian challenges. Awards are given in five categories: Medicine, Sanitation, Nutrition, Energy, and Living Standards. The program provides business incentives for reaching those in need. Winners receive an acceleration certificate to expedite select proceedings at the USPTO, as well as public recognition of their work. The awards showcase how patent holders with vision are pioneering innovative ways to provide affordable, scalable, and sustainable solutions for the less fortunate.
Learn more about Patents for Humanity and this year's award winners.
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2018 Collegiate Inventors Competition® Expo and Awards
 On November 16, the USPTO held the 2018 Collegiate Inventors Competition (CIC) Expo and Awards®. CIC is an annual competition that rewards innovations, discoveries and research by college and university students. It is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), in partnership with the USPTO. The 2018 finalists and their inventions provide a glimpse into the future of American innovation and emerging technological trends in various industries ranging from medical devices and mechanical engineering to the Internet of things.
Learn more about the finalists and winners.
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