George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Professor Tabrez Ebrahim on Clean and Sustainable Technological Innovation

The following post comes from Associate Professor of Law Tabrez Ebrahim of California Western School of Law in San Diego, California.

one lit lightbulb hanging near unlit bulbsBy Tabrez Ebrahim

What role should patent law have in promoting environmentally friendly, clean, and sustainable technology innovation? Does patent law provide adequate incentives for inventions and innovation that address environmental problems? Read more

Jonathan Barnett on the “License as Tax” Fallacy and the Real-World Benefits of Licensing

The following post comes from David Ward, a rising 2L at Scalia Law and a Research Assistant at CPIP.

the dictionary entry for the word "innovate"By David Ward

“Casual metaphors can have dangerous consequences.” CPIP Senior Fellow for Innovation Policy Jonathan Barnett’s new paper, The ‘License as Tax’ Fallacy, seeks to undo what he considers to be a dangerous, casual metaphor, namely, that intellectual property is a “state-granted monopoly” and therefore licensing is a “monopolistic tax” on consumers. Read more

New CPIP Policy Brief: The Long Shadow of the Blackberry Shutdown That Wasn’t

CPIP logoCPIP has published a new policy brief by CPIP Senior Fellow for Innovation Policy Jonathan Barnett entitled The Long Shadow of the Blackberry Shutdown That Wasn’t. The policy brief looks at how the Blackberry litigation and the “patent troll” narrative ultimately contributed to the Supreme Court’s 2006 decision in eBay v. Read more

IP Industries Step Up in This Time of Crisis

the word "inspiration" typed on a typewriterThe global COVID-19 pandemic has challenged multiple aspects of modern society in a short time. Health and public safety, education, commerce, research, arts, and even basic government functions have had to change dramatically in the space of a couple months. Some good news in all this is the response of many companies in the intellectual property (IP) industries: they are stepping up to make sure crucial information and materials are available to speed research and development (R&D) towards vaccines, therapeutics, and medical devices. Read more

U.S. Rise in International IP Index Signals Progress in Ongoing Effort to Restore Faith in the Patent System

dictionary entry for the word "innovate"Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) released the seventh edition of the International IP Index for 2019, Inspiring Tomorrow. The report provides some long sought good news for the innovation community, as the U.S. Read more

Unverified Theory Continues to Inform FTC’s Policies Toward Patent Owners

dictionary entry for the word "innovate"The Federal Trade Commission’s unfair competition case against Qualcomm, Inc., has now concluded. The parties gave their closing arguments on Tuesday, January 29, and all that remains is Judge Lucy Koh’s ruling. To prevail, the FTC needed to demonstrate actual, quantifiable harm. Read more

CPIP Scholars Join Comment Letter to FTC Supporting Evidence-Based Approach to IP Policymaking

a hand reaching for a hanging, shining keyOn December 21, 2018, CPIP Senior Scholars Jonathan Barnett, Chris Holman, Erika Lietzan, Adam Mossoff, Sean O’Connor, and Kristen Osenga joined a comment letter that was filed with the FTC as part of its ongoing hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century. Read more

A Cure Worse Than the Disease? Proposed Changes to European Patent Law are Threatening Pharmaceutical Innovation

a hand reaching for a hanging, shining keyInnovation is all around us. We love and appreciate the latest video games, software apps, and smartphones. We await the integration of self-driving cars and other forms of artificial intelligence. Beyond the gadgets and luxuries we think we can’t live without, there are even more essential products that affect the lives of millions around the world on a daily basis. Read more

VIDEOS: Panel Presentations from the CPIP 2018 Fall Conference

2018 Fall Conference flyerOn October 11-12, 2018, CPIP hosted its Sixth Annual Fall Conference, IP for the Next Generation of Technology, at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, in Arlington, Virginia.

After the breakthrough technology that gave us the mobile technology revolution of the past fifteen years, another leap forward in technology is about to break out into consumer products and services. Read more