Archive for June, 2004
Book review: How to Say What Stuff Looks Like
One of my all-time favorite reference books is Thomas Rieder’s How to Say What Stuff Looks Like. The book is a compendium of descriptive terminology, and is presented in a handy format that includes illustrations adjacent descriptive terms. I find myself using this book frequently when drafting patent applications — I have yet [...]
New picture - Patent pending
I’ve been wrestling with a gas heater for the last two weeks. I still haven’t gotten the thing to work right, but at least I was able to snap this picture.
My new favorite example of successful brand-building: KISS
When talking with people interested in building an intellectual property portfolio, I like to give specific examples of successful intellectual property strategies. I have a collection of my favorite examples, and I’ve been using most of them for years. Occasionally, though, I’ll change my examples when a better one catches my eye.
This week I came [...]
IP tidbit from placemat menu at local bar & grill
While visiting my favorite local bar & grill the other night, I noticed the following IP-related tidbit on the placemat menu (its a high-class joint):
The word “uncopyrightable” is the only 15-letter word in the English language that doesn’t contain a duplication of letters.
Fascinating. I had to share…
Thoughts on techniques to increase invention disclosures
I’ve noticed that engineers and scientists are very prolific inventors, but are not so prolific writers of invention disclosures. Have you ever heard “we invented that a few years ago…”, followed by silence when asked about the invention disclosure? People are usually suprised when they learn the difference between inventions and invention disclosures.
I’ve [...]
Book review: The Art of Innovation
I have just recently finished The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley. The book is a case study of innovation at IDEO, “America’s Leading Design Firm.”
I found the book very interesting as a case study. IDEO seems like a fascinating place where creativity thrives. The author gives numerous descriptions of various IDEO [...]
JPO jumpstation to patent offices around the world
Link: The Japan Patent Office has a hyperlinked list of patent offices around the world. The list appears to be updated occasionally, with China being added recently.
The Free & The Unfree
Link: One of my favorite reads each month is Wired magazine. Each issue includes a usually brief section called “Infoporn,” which is sort of like the USA Today graph on steroids. Infoporn always presents data on a subject interesting to technophiles, and presents it in a way that is both revealing [...]
USPTO closed on June 11 for Reagan National Day of Mourning
Link (USPTO main page, changes frequently): The USPTO will be closed on Friday, June 11, in recognition of a National Day of Mourning for former Presdient Ronald Reagan.
Link: President George W. Bush issued a Proclamation designating Friday as the National Day of Mourning.
IPO Reports H.R. 1561 stalled in Senate due to anti-fee diversion provisions
Link: IPO reports that the PTO fee bill, H.R. 1561, has stalled in the Senate due to opposition from some Senators relating to Section 5, which includes the anti-fee diversion provisions.
