We are currently experiencing an explosion in new companies and tools that enable peeking inside the “black box” of IP to drive improvements in efficiency, transparency, and fairness. This explosion has largely been fueled by open data initiatives at the USPTO and other IP offices around the world. BigPatentData uses this data toward a goal of prosecution with “less gut, more data,” but BigPatentData is just one tiny example of what is being made possible by the open data initiatives. Basically, if you like getting more for less out of the patent system, then you should support the open data initiatives.
One way you can show support is by registering for the Midwest Regional USPTO Patent Open Data Conference next Tuesday Oct 22, 2019 where you will be able to “learn in person or online about the use and integration of patent information into business strategic planning.” Here’s a link to the full agenda and here’s the link to register. Hope to see you there!
If you can’t attend, spend a couple minutes checking out the USPTO Open Data page and, while there, maybe send an email to the developers or the office of the chief economist, or whoever, letting them know how important these initiatives are.