Monthly Archives: September 2010

Nanotech Biz Conference: Some Anecdotes and Thoughts

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 30 September 2010 Posted in General

Some colleagues and I just returned from the NanoBusiness Alliance’s annual conference in Chicago. We offer some quick thoughts from listening to speakers and pass on some anecdotes:

What is the value of patenting? Should patents only be filed and pursued for actual products? Do they facilitate an exit strategy for a nanotech startup? What to do with existing patents and filings for which the technology is on a "back-burner." These are difficult issues to quantitate. However, one person provided some inside context about a nanotech company that had been purchased by a large, US-based company. The nanotech company was primarily bought for the patents and for blocking others in the market. So persons need to be very careful on valuation issues when they propose to cut spending on patents to only cover existing products.
Altair Nanotechnologies: recently in a $50M deal, effectively "sold to China"? Is this how the next several decades will flow?
US leadership in nanotech not enough if limited to R&D leadership. Is there anything new here? I lived in Japan in 1992-1993, and recall all the discussions in the 80′s and 90′s about our R&D being economically exploited abroad. One new factor, of course: the emergence of S. Korea and China.
George Thompson, Intel, has some of the most interesting comments on the history of innovation and nanotech in the context of that history. See his web video at the NNI update meeting this summer (www.nano.gov). China and India led the world in GDP before the industrial revolution. Trending now? The invention of the transistor was not an accident: resulted from a methodical planning. Where is our cabinet level "secretary of innovation"?
Congressman Lipinsky: many things "stuck" in the senate, e.g., SBIR/STTR reauthorization! The president’s current budget does not do enough for nanotech. Spending on nanotech is an investment, not a mere cost.
Why can Morton salt charge an 18% premium for salt? IP
When President Clinton first proposed the NNI (National Nanotechnology Initiative), he spoke of technologies which take 20 years or more to develop. So why all the urgency in 2000-2010 to make a "fast buck" on nanotech?
Recently, a march-in right petition was filed to "crack" a Genzyme patent and expand supply of an important drug. The sense is it could succeed which would have a big impact on our Bayh-Dole system.

In any event, these are just a flavor of the many topics at issue at this conference which are critically important in the NNI’s second decade and nanotech’s future. We will continue to monitor these topics.

Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania: Drilling for Patents and Innovation

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 25 September 2010 Posted in Cleantech; EPA; General; Patent

We believe that the Marcellus Shale natural gas developments in western Pennsylvania and nearby regions are incredibly significant to our economy, environment, and future energy policy. One angle is the technology needed to extract the natural gas, and also to protect the environment. For example, "hydrofracking" – a process used to recover the natural gas – has generated environmental concerns. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore valuable natural resources and the inherent drive to improve technology to get at them. Natural gas has become increasingly difficult to recover. New drilling methods have also been developed. Another angle is the complex layering of local, state, and federal policy, law, and business. If Pennsylvania has the resources, will Pennsylvania receive the benefit?

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More on the NNI at the Ten Year Point: Applications!

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 22 September 2010 Posted in General

Nature magazine recently reviewed nanotechnology and the NNI at the ten year point, a subject we have been blogging about this past year. Themes include past emphasis on basic research and the applications for the coming decade.

Our September 27, 2010 panel at the NanoBusiness Alliance Conference in Chicago (2 p.m.) will include discussion of these and other points related to nanotech commercialization.

For life sciences and cleantech to bloom, they must include substantial nanotech. Nanotech funding in the NNI is not a "boondoggle" – as some have incorrectly suggested based on short term analysis - but a wise look to the future! It is an essential element of the recognized triangle including biotech, IT, and nanotech. Better systems will be needed, however, for commercialization and technology transfer.

We hope you can join us and welcome your comments!

Patent Office Updates: Blogging on Kappos Blog

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 22 September 2010 Posted in Cleantech; Patent

David Kappos, leader of the US PTO for about a year now, has now issued a blog (see http://www.uspto.gov/blog/) which summarizes his first year and looks ahead. In this first year, the PTO has carried out a series of innovative initiatives which are summarized in the blog and need not be repeated in detail here. For cleantech, Kappos relays an expansion of a relevant program:

Green Technology Pilot Program: This program to provide accelerated examination of patent applications for innovations related to environmentally friendly and energy conservation technologies started in December 2009. As of August 31, 2010, 1,477 Green Technology petitions have been received into our Green Tech Pilot Program. This number represents very strong applicant uptake – nearly 50 percent of the upper limit originally set for the program. We anticipate further expansion of this program in the coming months.

Other points relate to reducing the backlog, compact prosecution, hiring more examiners, and better IT. Six other programs are noted in addition to the Green Technology Pilot Program.

Taken together, we see evidence from these pieces that the PTO is active and awake. We agree the Green Technology program should be expanded. The number of cases, 1,477, strikes us as low in view of the need.

The most important initiative is the three track system being planned. The patent system needs to be flexible enough that those applicants, and those in the public, who want a fast examination should be able to get it. At the same time, for those many applicants who want to defer costs and let the markets mature, no point in hurrying the process within reason.

The PTO’s new Facebook page is noted. Facebook?!

Nanotechnology should continue to be a priority for examiner training so that, among other reasons, the country can make the most of its large investment via the NNI in nanotechnology.

Do you believe the PTO is working and getting better, Facebook and all?

Your U.S. Patent Office Needs-Wants Your Expertise !

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 20 September 2010 Posted in Patent

The US PTO recently announced new invitations for technical experts to visit them and lecture to the PTO to train their examiners. See, http://www.uspto.gov/patents/pettp.jsp

Our experiences with these lectures in the past, given by clients, have been positive. Turnouts have been large with "buzz" in the room. It is a "win-win" and enables patentees to more deeply participate in and contribute to the nation’s patent system. Speakers gain from increased exposure to their companies and technologies.

The PTO announcements cover a broad array of technologies including many nanotechnologies. While the PTO program is self-explanatory, please contact us if you believe you would like some help in participating in this program.

9th Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference: September 27 – 28, 2010

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on 04 September 2010 Posted in Cleantech; Water

Join nanotech and cleantech industry leaders for the 9th Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference taking place September 27 – 28, 2010 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. This program will be held concurrently with the annual Water Innovations Alliance conference. Keynote speakers include William Moffitt, President & CEO of Nanosphere, Fabien Cousteau, Explorer and Aquatic Environmentalist, Kelly Carnes, President and CEO of TechVision21, and George Thompson, Government Programs Manager of Intel.