This Week in Washington IP: Semiconductor Supply Chains, Pharmaceutical Pricing, and the Impact of AI on Innovation

This week in Washington IP news, both houses of Congress are busy with hearings that touch on subjects relevant to IP. Both the Senate and House will be holding hearings on two hot-button issues: semiconductor supply chains and prescription drug pricing. Elsewhere, the USPTO is holding an AI inventorship listening session on the West Coast.

Monday, May 8

United States Patent and Trademark Office

AI Inventorship Listening Session – West Coast

At 1:00 PM on Monday, Stanford University, Paul Brest Hall and online livestream

On Monday, the USPTO is holding a public listening session at Stanford University seeking stakeholder input on AI technology and its impact on inventorship. The listening session is a result of a February 14 Federal Register Notice that further elaborates on the questions the USPTO is posing to the public. Attendees will hear from USPTO Director Kathi Vidal, Stanford professors, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.

Tuesday, May 9

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Launch Conference: Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies

At 12:30 PM on Tuesday, online livestream

On Tuesday, CSIS is launching the Wadhwani Center for AI and Advance Technologies, and it is hosting a half-day conference to mark the occasion. The Wadhwani Center will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced computing, and other emerging technologies on geopolitical power competition and technological innovation. Government leaders, industry executives, and AI scholars will be offering their perspectives on the future of AI.

Wednesday, May 10

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Invention-Con 2023: Building tomorrow’s innovation

At noon daily from Wednesday-Friday, online livestream and in-person (Friday only) at USPTO Headquarters

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, join the USPTO at this daily conference for inventors, makers, and entrepreneurs. Established innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners will share how they have used IP to achieve success. The conference is also a networking opportunity where IP experts will be available to field questions and help prospective inventors bring their idea to market. Wednesday and Thursday will be online only, but Friday also will be an in-person event.

House Subcommittee on Energy and House Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight

Return on Unprecedented Investment: An Analysis of the Department of Energy’s Implementation of the IIJA, the IRA, and the CHIPS and Science Act

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, 2318 Rayburn House Office Building and online livestream

On Wednesday, two House subcommittees are hosting a hearing that will discuss three landmark pieces of legislation the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Chips and Science Act. The two subcommittees are both part of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The CHIPS and Science Act was passed in order to strengthen U.S. manufacturing of semiconductors and increase innovation in the industry. Two witnesses have been announced for the hearing, Dr. Geraldine Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy and Dr. Kathleen Hogan, Principal Deputy Under Secretary and Acting Under Secretary for Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy.

House Committee on Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee

Examining Policies that Inhibit Innovation and Patient Access

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, 1100 Longworth House Office Building and online livestream

On Wednesday, this subcommittee is holding a hearing on medical innovation. House and Ways Committee chair Jason Smith (R-MO) and the subcommittee chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL) have both been critical of President Biden’s healthcare policy since assuming their positions. In a hearing in March, Buchanan chaired a hearing that criticized Obamacare’s impact on small businesses.

Thursday, May 11

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Executive Session – Continuation:  S. 1067, S. 1114, S. 1214, and S. 1339

At 10:00 AM on Thursday, 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building and online livestream

On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions is holding a continuation of last week’s hearing to discuss four pieces of legislation that aim to lower generic drug prices. The previous hearing was postponed to Thursday in order to be held one day after another committee hearing with pharmaceutical executives about making insulin affordable. At the previous hearing Committee Chair Bernie Sanders, (I-VT) said, “for anyone here who thinks this is going to be the end of what we do on prescription drugs, I have bad news for you.”

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

Executive Session – S. 229 Securing Semiconductor Supply Chain Act of 2023

At 10:00 AM on Thursday, Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253 and online livestream

On Thursday, this committee will discuss the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chain Act of 2023 among other proposed legislation. Senators Ricks Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Gary Peters (D-MI) reintroduced this legislation to the Senate on February 7. According to a press release from Senator Scott’s office, “the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program – in collaboration with federal agencies and state economic development organizations – to develop strategies to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.”

United States Patent and Trademark Office

China IP: Quarterly legislation and case law update

At 10:00 AM on Thursday, online livestream

On Thursday, the USPTO is holding its quarterly update on legislation and case law in China that is relevant to IP stakeholders in the United States. The USPTO bills the webinar as “unique access to a concise source of information, unlikely to be found elsewhere.” Elaine Wu, Principal Counsel and Director for China IP at the USPTO will moderate a discussion with USPTO attorneys covering patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and IP enforcement.

American Enterprise Institute

The 2023 AI Index

At 5:00 PM on Thursday, AEI Auditorium and online livestream

On Thursday, the American Enterprise Institute and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) are presenting HAI’s recently released AI Index. The report annually evaluates AI patterns across various sectors including research and development. Erik Brynjolfsson, Vanessa Parli, and Russell Wald from HAI will present their key findings and hold a panel discussion on AI.

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Author: izanbar