Center for Patent Innovations

The Center for Patent Innovations is unique among New York Law School’s centers in that it is principally focused on research and development. Associated with both the Institute for Information Law & Policy and the Do Tank, the Center designs and develops projects harnessing Web-based collaborative tools for the sole purpose of improving patent systems, both in the United States and around the world.


Center News

A March 2009 article in the Christian Science Monitor discusses Peer-to-Patent as one step toward the PTO's reduction in examiner backlog. The article also discusses changes to the patent system, including the "business of patenting."

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An upcoming paper by members of the Center for Technology Assessment, University Park, PA, discusses how social networking can be used to help identify prior art and discusses Peer-to-Patent.

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Webbink discusses the pros and cons of the current state of the patent marketplace, the importance of programs like Peer-to-Patent that seek to ensure patent quality, and the resulting confidence in markets that promotes innovation.

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Article discusses success and potential of Peer-to-Patent in improving the patent system.

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Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) publishes article about Peer to Patent - Using the Internet to Promote Progress in Science and Technology.

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The article notes Peer to Patent as the "ground-breaking project at the US Patent and Trademark Office as a possible model" of participatory government.

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At a recent event, Google CEO Eric Schmidt pointed to Peer-to-Patent when discussing the development of clean energy, and more importantly, the broader potential for public-private partnerships to revolutionize government, infrastructure, and aid the faltering economy.

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Article by Joelle Tessler of the Associated Press discussing the evolution of PeerToPatent.

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Associated Press, September 14, 2008

New York Law School and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced the extension of the PeerToPatent pilot program to June 15, 2009. In addition the pilot has now been expanded to include e-commerce and business method patents. At the same time New York Law School announced the formation of the Center for Patent Innovations as the new home of PeerToPatent.

Continue to Peer-to-Patent Extended and Expanded; Center for Patent Innovations Announced

National Law Journal, July 25, 2008

On July 16th, the Japan Patent Office launched their version of Peer-to-Patent, entitled Community Patent Review, opening the patent process up for public participation. Although the pilot launched less than 2 weeks ago, the site has already accepted 38 applications from 12 applicants for review.

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Japan Patent Office, July 16, 2008

Read the latest Wikipedia article on PeerToPatent.

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Wikipedia, September 22, 2008

A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office official praised the results of a patent review program pilot that used the public's knowledge to examine patent applications.

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FCW.COM, June 30, 2008

Peer-to-Patent, the groundbreaking Web-based governmental “social networking” project, has released a report on the results of its one-year pilot.

Continue to Peer-to-Patent Pilot Releases Report Demonstrating Success of Public Participation in Patent Process

New York Law School, June 18, 2008

U.S. technology vendors submitted five patent applications for last Friday's launch of a Web site that allows the public to review proposals before patents are granted. Less than a week later, the public had submitted claims of previous inventions that could invalidate each one.

Continue to PeerToPatent Allows Public to Find Prior Art

Washington Post, June 23, 2007

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues a formal announcement of the PeerToPatent pilot project commencing June 15, 2007, and continuing for a full year. The pilot will be focused on subject matter in the computer and software fields.

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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, June 7, 2007

Beth Noveck's law journal article explaining the concept behind PeerToPatent.

Continue to “Peer To Patent”: Collective Intelligence, Open Review and Patent Reform

Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, Fall 2006

The problem: an epidemic of shoddy patents. The solution: Wikipedia? That's the basic concept behind a pilot program sponsored by IBM (Charts) and other companies, which the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office appears poised to green-light. The project would apply an advisory version of the wiki approach to the patent-approval process.

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Fortune, August 16, 2006

Article on the early concept behind PeerToPatent.

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Ars Technica, May 9, 2006

Beth Noveck discusses the initial concept behind PeerToPatent

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Wired, July 14, 2005