Powerpoint presentation that explains why the USPTO chose to pursue Patents for Humanity. A program primarily developed by Arti Rai, Quentin Palfrey, Edward Elliott, and Myself.
2. OVERVIEW
The United States Patent & Trademark
Office (USPTO) has developed a
voluntary, pro-business pilot program to
incentivize the development and
distribution of technology that addresses
humanitarian needs.
3. BACKGROUND
Greatest need of humanitarian support
coincides with breakdowns in the
market or government structure,
specifically:
Impoverished populations with insufficient
capital to provide the needed ROI
Areas lacking appropriate infrastructure
Countries lacking adequate protection for
inventions
4. WHY THE USPTO?
USPTO is uniquely positioned to help
address these problems
Respected leading voice on IP matters
Working relationship with the authors of
technological progress
History of cooperation with industry
Leverage contacts to develop win-win
solutions
Highlight the benefits IP has for
developing regions
5. PROPOSAL
Incentivize and reward patent owners who
make meaningful contributions to
humanitarian needs.
Provide a transferrable voucher for expedited
processing at the USPTO.
Recipients may apply the voucher to one of
their own patents or sell it on the open
market.
6. EXTERNAL SUPPORT
USPTO issued a public Request For Comments in Sept
2010. Respondents from industry, academia, and NGOs
were very supportive of the program. USPTO continues
to solicit feedback from stakeholders to address
concerns and ensure success.
"BIO commends the USPTO for likewise exploring creative and
market-oriented ways to incentivize the development and distribution
of humanitarian technologies, a goal that BIO and its members have
long shared and are working hard to achieve."
-James Greenwood
BIO’s President & CEO
7. EXTERNAL SUPPORT
“I enthusiastically support the exploration and intent
behind the ‘Humanitarian IP program’, as I view it as a
critical component in a system for accelerating the
delivery of inclusive (pro-poor) innovations (in health and
agriculture to developing countries).”
-Stanley Kowalski
Professor of Law and Director of
The International Technology Transfer Institute
University of New Hampshire
8. DEFINITIONS
Humanitarian issue – one significantly
affecting the public health or quality of
life of an impoverished population
Qualifying criteria (roughly):
Actions that significantly increase usage of
the technology by an impoverished group to
address a humanitarian issue
Actions that make the technology available
to others for research on a humanitarian
issue
9. APPROACH
Focus on actually delivering life-altering
treatments/products/services to suffering
people in need
Triple Neutral Approach:
Technology – open to all fields
Geography – help impoverished people
anywhere
Finance – focus on results achieved, not $$
accommodates all business models
10. ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES
Any technology used for humanitarian
purposes may qualify, such as:
Health/Life Sciences (e.g. medicines, medical
devices)
Chemical (e.g. water purification)
Mechanical (e.g. mine detector)
Agriculture (e.g. enhanced crops)
Energy (e.g. hazardous waste treatment)
IT (Hardware and Software) (e.g. malaria
zapper)
And others…
11. PROCESS
Participants will submit prize
applications describing how they
have made significant contributions
to humanitarian goals with their
patented technology according to
the program criteria
Expert judges will evaluate the
applications
12. JUDGING MECHANISM
2-Round Review Process
Evaluation
by outside experts with
backgrounds in technology and
humanitarian aid
Finalselections performed by the Patent
Public Advisory Committee
13. TIMELINE
FRN to be published May 2011
Pilot rollout in 2nd half of FY 2011
14. PERCEIVED BENEFITS FROM
IMPACT INVESTING
INCENTIVIZATION
Average Return Expectations by instrument and region
“Impact Investments: An Emerging Asset Class.” J.P.Morgan, Global Research. 29 Nov 2010
15. SUMMARY
USPTO program to reward
humanitarian use of intellectual
property
Opportunity to advance U.S. and
world interests in humanitarian aid
USPTO uniquely positioned to lead
Leverages existing forces in
industry and academia to greater
effect
16. CONCLUSION
In our global economy, progress in even the poorest
countries can advance the prosperity and security of people
far beyond their borders, including my fellow Americans.
-President Barack Obama, September 22, 2010
U.N. Millenium Development Goals Summit