An Engaging Discussion Kicks Off The Michelson Institute For Intellectual Property

Dean James Ellis of USC's Marshall School of Business opened the program, followed by remarks from USC President C.L. Max Nikias. The evening featured a fireside chat with Dr. Gary Michelson, prolific inventor and founder of the Michelson 20MM Foundation. The talk was followed by a discussion with a distinguished panel of intellectual property (IP) experts who gave their thoughts on the current state of IP protection in the U.S., and musings on the future of innovation. The event was part of the University's ongoing commitment to bringing leaders from outside of academia to campus in order to enhance the educational experience.

Professor Luke Dauchot, who teaches one of the country's first undergraduate courses on IP, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Intellectual Property, served as an engaging moderator and frequently turned to address his students in attendance. An expert on patent cases, Mr. Dauchot counseled Dr. Michelson during his trial challenging a medical device company over the use of his patented protected surgical inventions. The jury ruled in Dr. Michelson's favor leading to a record settlement that included acquisition of many of the doctor's patent rights.

In his first question of the evening, the professor asked Dr. Michelson to reveal what led him to innovation. The retired spinal and orthopedic surgeon responded by showing his extra-large hand to the crowd and saying to rousing laughter, "that's the same size hand Wilt Chamberlain has... if you're a patient, would you want that inside of you?"

Dr. Michelson went on to explain that his observation of a lack of medical devices geared toward the patient benefit sparked his first inventions, and that protecting intellectual property with a robust patent system is essential to fostering an ecosystem of innovation.

The one-on-one segued to a panel discussion that included Hon. Paul R. Michel (Ret.), Former Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals, and intellectual property specialists representing Facebook, IBM, Walt Disney, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The speakers chatted about the need for new patent laws to keep up with today's ever changing digital landscape where much of the newly created IP is increasingly intangible. They lamented the unpredictability in the patent system caused by an over-reliance on the judicial branch to determine patent rights. The panelists appeared to agree that true stability in the system could only be brought by legislative patent reform, which would streamline enforcement and encourage innovation in the United States.

Topics during the two-hour program ranged from the importance of IP with respect to global competitiveness, to piracy challenges, to building appreciation for the value of IP among young people through education. At the event's conclusion, undergraduate chaperones from Professor Dauchot's course presented gifts to the featured guests, and snapped countless selfies to immortalize the successful launch of The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property.

Leveraging Intellectual Property In Today's Knowledge Economy was organized and hosted by the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, and Michelson 20MM Foundation. To learn more about The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property visit MichelsonIP.com.

Contact: Mayra Lombera
[email protected]

SOURCE The Michelson 20MM Foundation

Related Links

http://MichelsonIP.com