Over the past several months, much has been written about the America Invents Act, the sweeping patent-reform legislation signed into law by President Obama in September. It has been dissected, analyzed, praised, and criticized. But one aspect that has received little attention is its impact on universities.
Universities are unusual among entities that file for patents in that they have a core mission that includes the dissemination of research through publication and participation in academic conferences and seminars. These "disclosures," to use the language of the patent world, have implications with respect to patentability. And the implications are significantly altered by the most notable provision of the AIA, which replaces the longstanding first-to-invent system with what is often described as a first-to-file approach.
To read the full, original article click on this link: To Protect Your Next Bright Idea, Mind What You Say and When You Say It - Commentary - The Chronicle of Higher Education
