Politics of IP Archives

Innovation, IP Law, Patent, Politics of IP

Steaming Mad About a Broken Patent System (Fueled by Fiery Thai Chilies)

April 13, 2025

In this special—and extremely spicy—episode of Innovation Café, I challenged my taste buds (and sanity) by downing multiple Thai chili peppers (ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 on the Scoville scale) while venting about the difficulties small inventors face in the U.S. patent system. If you see me sweating, it’s not just the chilies. It’s also the frustration of dealing with a process so skewed toward big corporations, wealthy tech giants, and anyone with a war chest of cash to spend on patent litigation. This post dives into what’s making me so “steaming mad” and the specific hurdles innovators encounter—minus any actual flames.

What is the “nondelegation” doctrine, and why should inventors (and creators) care?

March 25, 2025

It sounds wonky, but the “nondelegation” doctrine could affect who makes the rules that inventors and artists live by. This article addresses the constitutional question about how much power Congress can delegate to agencies like the patent office. It then explains in plain language why a legal principle from civics class might shape the future of innovation and creative industries.

IP Law, Patent, Politics of IP

How the USPTO Is Funded via User Fees, Fee Diversion, and Its History

March 25, 2025

Who foots the bill at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office? Mostly inventors themselves. This historical look explains how the USPTO is funded by user fees (and what happens when those funds get diverted elsewhere). Learn why funding quirks can affect patent examination speed and quality, and what it means for innovators counting on timely patents.

IP Law, Patent, Politics of IP

When National Security Meets Innovation: How U.S. Patent Applications Can Be Sealed

March 20, 2025

Imagine inventing something so sensitive, the government puts it under wraps. This article explores the rare situation when the U.S. government issues a secrecy order on a patent application in the name of national security. Learn how and why some cutting-edge innovations—like advanced tech or defense-related inventions—get temporarily classified, and what that means for the inventors behind them.