Shaping A More Inclusive Intellectual Property World With Derrick Brent
42m | Feb 28, 2024Creating positive change in the world of emerging technology requires more than just innovative ideas. It demands a commitment to fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
This means implementing intentional practices, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive innovation. By ensuring access for women, people of color, indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented groups, we can pave the way for a more successful and inclusive innovation strategy.
I'm thrilled today to welcome Derrick Brent, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In his role, Derrick acts as a key advisor to Kathi Vidal, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.
He is tasked with managing a broad range of programs and operations at one of the world's most significant intellectual property offices, which boasts over 13,000 employees and operates with an annual budget exceeding $4 billion.
Derrick's role is broad and multifaceted. He works closely with Director Vidal to guide the USPTO. Together, they work to improve IP policies and procedures for the national good. They also work to expand the USPTO's outreach as they boost innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the country.
In This Episode:
[02:59] Derrick shares some specific initiatives led by the USPTO to promote diversity and inclusion in tech transfer offices.
[03:23] Tech transfer presents the opportunity for entrepreneurial gains in startups and a chance for innovation to reach the marketplace.
[04:07] Education and reaching out early to present tech transfer as an opportunity for research and employment. They've also engaged in outreach with HBCUs and MSIs in an effort to expand activity in the system.
[05:35] The USPTO has been engaging on a high level and trying to reach more people to bring into the tech transfer system.
[06:01] How the USPTO collaborates with ERIs to drive diversity and inclusion in innovation. Tech transfer round tables with staff from HBCUs and MSIs. They had subject matter experts and text transfer people.
[08:11] They are using outreach to educate the administrators about tech transfer. They're winning minds and hearts to commit to the expansion.
[09:07] We need to do a better job of coordinating our resources.
[10:17] Effective strategies that the USPTO uses to help ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for underrepresented groups. Kathi Vidal has been passionate about bringing more into the system.
[11:02] The pro bono program offers free patent legal assistance. The Pathways Program educates entrepreneurs and brings the marketplace into play.
[12:10] Enhanced outreach has also developed geographic diversity. The first time filer program also brings more people into the system.
[15:08] The success in their approaches comes from being intentional in making maximum impact.
[17:41] The USPTO is an agency with a big heart and they want to do more. One of the challenges they face is scaling their programs and coordinating resources.
[23:56] Partners working to help include AUTM, National Academy of Inventors, Federal Labs Consortium, UNCF and more. The universities themselves get right out into the field.
[26:45] Derrick talks about how to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
[30:05] One of their core principles is driving inclusive innovation.
[34:39] How the USPTO addresses unconscious bias in the patent office to ensure fair treatment for all innovators regardless of their background.
[37:03] Derrick talks about the role of the PTO shaping the future of diversity and inclusion in tech transfer. They are going to continue to provide IP education wherever there are entrepreneurial efforts. Tech transfer needs a connector.
[39:11] To drive diversity and inclusion in innovation they are going to continue to lead by example and make sure they have robust inclusive teams.
Resources:
USPTO America’s Innovation Agency LinkedIn
Patent Pro Bono Program: Pathways to inclusive innovation
National Science Foundation: NSF
