Anton Hopen, managing partner at the Law Office of Smith & Hopen, spoke to about 200 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»students and faculty on Friday, Feb. 24. Hopen, a U.S. registered patent attorney, discussed the role of patents in academic research.
A standing-room-only crowd of aspiring inventors and innovators gained valuable insight on how to protect the rights to their one-of-a-kind inventions, designs, and processes during a presentation by Anton Hopen, a U.S. registered patent attorney and managing partner at the Law Office of Smith & Hopen.
The Jan. 24 event at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»focused on the critical role of patents in academic research, drawing about 200 students, faculty and staff.
βEvery patent granted is evidence of a problem solved and a boundary pushed,β said Hopen, who is 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs outside patent counsel. βIt is legal recognition of a tangible benefit that propels humanity forward.β
David Fugett, the Universityβs vice president and general counsel, said students often create innovations and either donβt consider pursuing a patent or donβt know how to do it.
A newly established Department of Patents and Transfer Technology will serve as a resource to assist the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly community in navigating the patent process.
βWhen something gets patented, you will be attached as an inventor to that invention until the end of time,β Fugett said. βIt shows that not only are you a problem solver, you thought of such a unique way to solve a problem that no one else in the world has thought of it.β
The Universityβs singular STEM focus gives it a significant patent advantage over many other institutions, Hopen said.
β91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly is in a most unique position to be a driver of not just solving problems, but potential financial windfall,β he said, noting that a patent grants a 20-year monopoly over the protected invention.
Hopen described the response to his presentation to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly students and employees as enthusiastic and highly interactive.
βIβve spoken at universities now for close to 20 years and this was one of the most fun and engaging talks Iβve had,β Hopen said. βTo have nearly 200 students zoned in and really engaged in wanting to see the potential is really exciting.
βI think this might be the beginning of something big for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly.β
For more information about patents at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, contact the Department of Patents and Transfer Technology.
Contact:
Lydia GuzmΓ‘n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
