While certain subject matter disclosed in patent documents is covered by exclusive rights granted to patent holders, much of the information disclosed in patent documents is in the public domain and can be used freely to develop and bring new products and services to the market.

Ever wondered how you can determine whether a new invention might be in the public domain and free to use without permission from a patent holder? Or how inventions in the public domain can add value to your products and services and how you can successfully develop new product concepts around inventions in the public domain?

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has developed two practical guides designed to help researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs to effectively identify and use this information in the public domain. The guides include easy-to-follow training modules, checklists, teaching examples and other useful tools and resources designed in particular with the challenges faced in developing and least developed countries in mind. The digital versions of the guides are available for download free-of-charge at: https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4501 and https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4502.

From July 9 to July 23, 2020, join us on here on Ask the Expert to interact with the lead expert who developed the Guide on Using Inventions in the Public Domain, Professor James G. Conley, Clinical Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, in the United States. A full biography can be downloaded below. He will be assisted by Ms. Komal Bajracharya, Research Associate at the Kellogg School of Management, where Ms. Bajracharya works with Professor Conley in exploring the role and impact of intellectual capital in businesses and institutions of varying scale. Ms. Bajracharya assisted Professor Conley in curating and editing the Guide on Using Inventions in the Public Domain and participated as an expert in WIPO workshops on the guides in eight countries.

The Guide on Using Inventions in the Public Domain aims to support inventors and entrepreneurs gain access to and use technology and business information and knowledge in the public domain, for the development of new innovative products and services, with a focus on information and technology disclosed in patent documents.

To access a webinar presentation by Professor Conley providing more information about the objective and content of the Guide, please go to: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=57888 (the slides of the webinar can be downloaded below).

Post your questions here on product design, product commercialization, and other topics related to the Guide and start interacting with the expert!