Detroit Listening Session with Director Kathi Vidal

300 River Place Drive,Detroit MI 48207

12 July, 2022

Description

Join Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), for a listening session to hear from experts in the Midwest region. The panel will discuss issues impacting independent inventors and how the USPTO can aid in breaking down barriers to innovation. Topics of discussion: How the USPTO can increase support to small businesses and inventorsExpanding the reach of the USPTO to better serve underrepresented individuals and communitiesLessons learned from inventor associations about how to support independent inventorsWays of partnering with incubators to increase access to research and development facilities and toolsPanelists : Tanya Bryant, Inventor of NetCessityJames Howard, Inventor, Executive Director, Black Inventors Hall of Fame MuseumJan Rogers, Inventor of Time TimerMonique Quarterman, Deputy Executive Director in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Innovation, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development“I look forward to learning from current and aspiring innovators across all regions and demographics to better understand the variety of perspectives on issues that affect them," said Director Vidal. "We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the innovation community and other government agencies to help bring innovation to impact for the betterment of society. Let this be the start of a constructive dialogue to foster an intellectual property system that works for all.” Interested attendees have the option to attend in-person or via Livestream. An option to submit questions for the listening session is available in the registration form. Please email questions for the panelists by July 11, 2022 to [email protected] Please note that the Midwest Regional USPTO is a federal facility. Attendees are required to present a valid form of government-issued identification (driver license or passport) and may be subject to screening to gain access. Stay tuned for further announcements on additional stakeholder listening sessions with Director Vidal. All listening sessions are closed to press. Members of the media can email Christy Walker at [email protected] with questions.