technology or patents – which is it?
Recently, “ned” was asked why we tweet so much about IP. Was this a new focus? Was ned leaving their technology roots? No, ned's focus hasn't changed.
Patents and technology are intimately connected. At its most basic a patent protects an aspect of technology. It protects an advance or a solution to a problem, in technology.
In the spring ned published three articles around patents and innovation in Canada. Each tapped into an existing discussion, and each considered the relevance of understanding technology to moving that discussion forward.
Part I considered so-called innovation leakage. Retaining control of and benefiting from Canadian innovation requires identification of the valuable bits of fundamental Canadian research, and this identification requires understanding the technology. When the technology is understood its value and its potential can be appreciated.
Part II considered IP education. Here too, one improves outcomes if one understands technology. In one example, this understanding allows the educator to present information to which both inventors and C-suite executives can relate, and once they can relate to the content it becomes relevant.
Part III considered perception. Canada needs to change the common perception of patents and IP held by C-suite execs, media and the general population. “Patent” can not continue to be a dirty word. A large component of the perception problem is oversimplifying the technology disclosed in a given patent. Again we are back to a better understanding of technology with it one can appreciate where a patent fits and what is actually being protected.
Thus, all of the above areas of the current discourse around the innovation economy and patents relate to and are improved by an improved understanding of technology. ned is not straying from its roots. ned is appreciating how integrally technology relates to the discussion of patents, Canadian innovation and retaining the spoils thereof.