This Week in Washington IP: Celebrating Hispanic Innovators, Securing the Federal Software Supply Chain, Patent Center Tutorial

This week in Washington IP news, the House and Senate are having a quieter week after the Thanksgiving break, but a House subcommittee delves into the critical software supply chain. Elsewhere, the USPTO celebrates Hispanic innovators, discusses fashion and IP and continues its tutorial series on Patent Center.

Tuesday, November 28

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Empowering Innovations: Celebrating Hispanic pioneers in education and invention

At 6:00 PM on Tuesday, online webinar

In this fireside chat, the USPTO Office for Education will discuss innovation, invention, and mentorship in the Hispanic-American community. Attendees will hear from successful inventors and mentors as well as Jorge Valdes, Education Advisor in the Office of Education at the USPTO, who will lead the discussion. The larger goal of the meeting is to celebrate Hispanic innovators and learn about the challenges faced by prospective inventors.

Wednesday, November 29

House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation

Safeguarding the Federal Software Supply Chain

At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, 2247 Rayburn and online livestream

This subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will turn its attention to the critical supply chain for software. With continued worries of vulnerabilities to critical software infrastructure the U.S. government and other governments have had to puzzle together increased security services for these supply chains that are vital to modern-day life. 

House Subcommittee on the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials

America Leads the Way: Our History as the Global Leader Reducing Emissions

At 4:00 PM on Wednesday, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building and online livestream

This House Subcommittee will discuss the U.S. strategy for reducing emissions and the key role that innovation plays in this important aspect of the economy. “America has led the world in reducing emissions without sacrificing innovation, economic development, or our national security,” wrote the committee chairs when announcing the hearing. The hearing is being held in the lead-up to the upcoming COP28 meetings, where the world will meet to discuss climate issues.

Thursday, November 30

United States Patent and Trademark Office

The Path to a Patent, Part VII: How to file a patent application using Patent Center
At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, online webinar

The USPTO will walk users through the process for filing and managing documents via its controversial new software system, Patent Center, in part VII of its series on the new system. The presentation will include info on how to file documents in DOCX format as well as guidance on resources such as the Inventors Assistance Center and the Patent Electronics Business Center.

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Fashion, Beauty, and Intellectual Property: Fashion law and social justice inclusion in IP

At 4:00 PM on Thursday, online webinar

This is another installment in the USPTO’s Fashion, Beauty, and Intellectual Property series that will cover a wide range of issues related to fashion and IP. In this event, Kenya Wiley, Fashion Law Professor and Advisor will take a global angle and look at design, hip-hop culture, fashion technology, and sustainability.