The Innovation Office in the Research and Graduate Studies Sector at Qatar University (QU) organized a symposium entitled ‘What are patents and how do we obtain them?’
The symposium drew a diverse audience including QU faculty members, staff, researchers, visiting professors, and students spanning various disciplines. Its primary aim was to enlighten attendees on the nuances of intellectual property, underscoring the significance of understanding patent types, their relevance, and the process to ascertain if technology or research is patentable.
Dr. Sushil Iru and Dr. Sean Dean, the esteemed lead attorneys and patent attorneys from US law firm, Fish & Richardson P.C. Key, served as the event's principal speakers. They shared invaluable insights on prior art/patent searches, introduced patent search tools and strategies, and elucidated the patent lifecycle. Additionally, they engaged the audience in a discussion on preliminary evaluations of inventions regarding novelty, clarity, and industrial applicability. The emphasis was also laid on ensuring that all relevant personnel are well-equipped with knowledge on intellectual property protection and management.
One of the significant takeaways from this symposium was the focus on best practices for protecting intellectual property. It emphasized the need for inventors to ascertain if their patent might infringe upon the rights of existing patents or potentially invalidate a competing patent. This learning session equipped attendees with foundational skills in patent searches.
As the symposium concluded, faculty members, researchers, and students engaged in a vibrant Q&A session with the experts, enhancing the interactive nature of the event.