Content nominated by the USIPA Board

IP Awareness Hub

Insights, teachings and resources for anyone to reference during moments of creation; research for rights protection; and innovation that reaches all of the right people, everywhere they are.

The Conrad Challenge is a virtual, student-driven, project-based competition that creates the next generation of entrepreneurs

The Conrad Challenge is a virtual, student-driven, project-based competition that creates the next generation of entrepreneurs

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.

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IPBasics.org provides a quick, pleasant introduction to a topic that is easily misunderstood – ‘intellectual’ property
IP Education, IP Protectors, Creators Barry Brager IP Education, IP Protectors, Creators Barry Brager

IPBasics.org provides a quick, pleasant introduction to a topic that is easily misunderstood – ‘intellectual’ property

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.

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Paralympian Rory Cooper drives innovation for people with disabilities
IP Diversity, Creators Barry Brager IP Diversity, Creators Barry Brager

Paralympian Rory Cooper drives innovation for people with disabilities

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.

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Intellectual Property Education: Why it’s a Necessity for Today’s Graduates
IP Education, IP Awareness Barry Brager IP Education, IP Awareness Barry Brager

Intellectual Property Education: Why it’s a Necessity for Today’s Graduates

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. 

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InventEd - Invention Curricula Portal for Teachers K-12
Creators, IP Education Barry Brager Creators, IP Education Barry Brager

InventEd - Invention Curricula Portal for Teachers K-12

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.

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NCEAI to Expand American Innovation

NCEAI to Expand American Innovation

An Empowering IP Mission

The National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI) is charged with strategizing new ways to expand American innovation by tapping into the strength of our nation’s diversity and increasing the opportunities for all Americans to participate in innovation.

The NCEAI’s mission is to help the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) develop a comprehensive national strategy to increase participation in our innovation ecosystem by encouraging, empowering, and supporting all future innovators. That includes increasing the involvement of women and other underrepresented groups.

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Interactive Map of US Inventor Associations
Creators, IP Ecosystem Barry Brager Creators, IP Ecosystem Barry Brager

Interactive Map of US Inventor Associations

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.

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MIT-Lemelson Study on the Economic Impact of Invention
Creators, IP Awareness Barry Brager Creators, IP Awareness Barry Brager

MIT-Lemelson Study on the Economic Impact of Invention

$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.

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IP Podcasts Create Understanding
IP Awareness, IP Ecosystem, IP Education Barry Brager IP Awareness, IP Ecosystem, IP Education Barry Brager

IP Podcasts Create Understanding

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.

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USPTO Calendar Always Full
IP Education, Creators, IP Diversity Barry Brager IP Education, Creators, IP Diversity Barry Brager

USPTO Calendar Always Full

Free IP Education Weekly

Recent redesigns of the Events page at the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) make IP education opportunities easier to discover and join. Multiple free events every week offer everything from K-12 IP Education; STEM and STEAM learning discussions; IP Diversity programming; Inventor guidance; Trademark and copyright basics; and much more.

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