1/2 On this day in 1877, fire devastated the U.S. Patent Office and destroyed tens of thousands of patent models.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents #USPTO

"We need to make it more clear what kind of #inventions are subject to protection. We need to make sure that the remedies are stable and predictable, and that there's an opportunity to challenge issued #patents, but it's not going to be an endless cycle of challenges." - Coke Morgan Stewart

"[#Patents are so important for idea factories] because often these entities, universities, the classic example, they only or they primarily specialize in developing new #inventions. They either, by choice or by necessity, don't have the capital or expertise to commercialize it." - Jonathan Barnett

1/2 On this day in 1930, Johannes Ostermeier received US Patent No. 1,776,637 for a “Flash lamp”, a patent behind the first commercially successful flashbulbs.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

Very glad to see this paper as part of our SMJ Special Issue on Chance, Luck, and Serendipity in Strategy and Management! sms.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... (Open access).

#serendipity #patents #innovation

From patents and design rights to trademarks, copyright and licensing deals with Star Wars, Harry Potter and Marvel, LEGO is a fascinating example of how IP evolves over time.

🔗 Read more: blog.lboro.ac.uk/rdm/2026/09/...

#IntellectualProperty #Copyright #Trademark #Patents #LEGO #IPLaw

On this day in 1903, Eldridge Johnson received US Patent No. 739,318 for a “Sound-record”. His invention concerned the paper label at the centre of the disc.
Small improvements matter, even when they look obvious in hindsight.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

1/2 On this day in 1955, Hugo Gernsback received US Patent No. 2,718,083 for a “Hydraulic fishery” designed to pump fish from the sea straight to shore.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

What if an AI-drafted patent looks strong today but fails when a competitor challenges it years later? ⚖️🤖

For deep tech, drafting speed means little without technical verification.

#GenerativeAI #Patents #AI #Startups #BusinessStrategy #BusinessTips
koreatechdesk.com/ai-patent-dr...

1/3 On this day in 1968, An Wang received US Patent No. 3,402,285 for a “Calculating apparatus”, concerning the logarithmic technology behind Wang Laboratories’ early calculators.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

This article perpetuates the claim that so-called "patent thickets" delay competition.

But the data doesn't support their existence.

According to the #USPTO, there is no evidence that the number of #patents covering a #medicine affects the timing of #generic and #biosimilar entry.

For more info:

Weak #patents can become powerful tools for abusive litigation. In Kahoot! v. Interstellar, CCIA and fellow trade associations are asking the Supreme Court to hear a case involving the inter partes review system Congress created to improve patent quality. 1/3

1/5 On this day in 1884, John Nelson received US Patent No. 305,102 for an “Illuminating device for frightening rats and mice”, essentially a cardboard cat. Even contemporary newspapers treated the invention as something of a curiosity.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

Activists frequently blame #patents and accuse companies of abusing the patent system with tactics such as "product hopping" and "evergreening."

But the evidence does not support the claim that patents are preventing generic competition.

Learn more:

1/2 On this day in 1891, Seth Wheeler received US Patent No. 459,516 for a toilet-paper roll.
#OnThisDay #OTD #PatentHistory #Patents

FYI: Explaining FRAND #FRAND #Telecoms #Patents #EUData #Google

FYI: Explaining FRAND #FRAND #Telecoms #Patents #EUData #Google

ESP is a global initiative of the @fsf.org
endsoftwarepatents.org
#esp #fsf #software #patents #reminder