Facilitate access and engagement of intellectual property (IP) so that all people and ideas in the United States have an opportunity for success.
IP Access and Engagement
Objective 1
Identify disparities within the IP ecosystem to understand causes and barriers, eliminate bias, and illustrate the benefits and successes of the entire IP community
IP Access and Engagement
Objective 2
Work with U.S. IP stakeholders to improve access to ideas through greater engagement, ensuring that the best creations and innovations reach U.S. citizens as quickly as possible and at a fair price.
Learn more at the IP Awareness Hub
Content nominated by the USIPA Board
The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation competition that is creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world… And guess what? That’s you!
If you are a student between the ages of 13-18, you can become an entrepreneur and make new friends by applying science, technology and innovation to solve problems with global impact. With the support of industry experts and featuring step by step guidance, the Conrad Challenge expands your collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication skills. The result: sharpening skills needed to thrive in college and in the 21st century workforce.
Using someone's intellectual property (IP ) without the right to is theft, even if it is unintentional. IP theft affects jobs, investment and the quality of innovation. It discourages sharing.
Key Principles:
1. IP is property. 2. IP protections encourage sharing. 3. IP benefits society. 4. IP infringement is theft. 5. Good IP behavior is learned.
Dr. Rory Cooper is the founder and director of the Human Engineering Research Labs (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh and Department of Veteran Affairs in the United States. From ergonomic push rims (a patented technology that reduces upper extremity pain and injury in wheelchair users) on wheelchairs to robots to assist with lifts and transfers, home automation and prosthetics, there’s no stopping Dr. Cooper – Paralympian, serial inventor, army veteran, engineer, marathon racer. Dr. Cooper discusses his ground-breaking work and the importance of intellectual property (IP) in bringing it to the market.
Competence in the creation, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property is now a valuable skill set for college and university graduates looking to compete in today’s Knowledge Economy.
Intellectual property (IP) plays a significant role in realizing competitive advantage for major industries built on brands, designs, technology, content, software, or data. This suggests that nearly all academic disciplines and professions, including business and marketing, engineering, art and design, and life science, benefit from knowledge of the use of IP to create value in their chosen field or industry. While IP is based on legal rights, the use of these rights in business is strategic in nature, and hence what makes learning about IP essential for most college and university students.
Teaching the unique ways inventors find and solve problems - to everyone
Invention Education is a powerful educational approach that teaches the unique ways inventors find and solve problems. When students experience this approach, they become more engaged in their learning, more inclusive in their thinking, and more prepared for a future of rapid change and uncertainty.
Creators get local support, helping hands & wisdom
The United Inventors Association (UIA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational resources and opportunities to the independent inventing community, while encouraging honest and ethical business practices among industry service providers.
The UIA has assembled an interactive map of every inventor’s association, in every US state. This supports its mission of empowering inventors through education, access and advocacy.
$500K Prize Retrospective - Measuring the Impact of Invention
Lemelson-MIT Prize winning inventors have had a significant impact on our society, economy, and culture according to a 2021 study by the RAND Corporation. Findings in "Measuring the Value of Invention" have been supplemented by case studies produced by History Associates that provide greater details about six of the 26 prize recipients featured in the report. Video interviews will be released in Spring 2021.
Understanding IP Matters
‘Understanding IP Matters’ is an occasional podcast that looks at the impact of inventions and other intellectual property on people and business.
‘Understanding IP Matters’ is brought to you by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding, an independent non-profit. CIPU provides outreach within an educational framework to improve IP literacy, promote freedom of ideas and deter theft.
The podcast is now available to stream.
