Get the USPTO to SXSW 2024

We need your PanelPicker votes to ensure intellectual property (IP) is part of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Interactive and EDU conversation. From August 8-20, 2023, you can vote for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 2024 PanelPicker session proposals. Make sure you leave comments about what you’d like us to talk about and share the details about the panels with friends. You can vote for more than one panel, and you can vote even if you don’t plan to attend SXSW. 

SXSW crowdsources conference programming through the PanelPicker platform, and community voting counts for 30% of the panel selection decisions. 

SXSW is a prime opportunity for the USPTO to highlight the importance of protecting IP. Let SXSW know how vital IP protection is by voting for our four panels today! 

• Vote for the USPTO's panels 

• Leave comments or questions for us on the panel page 

• Join the conversation on social media with #USPTOatSXSW 

 

SXSW Interactive Panel Proposals 

Catalyzing Inclusive Innovation at Speed and Scale 

Now is the time! Both U.S. Government and the private sector are focused on U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness, and on supporting entrepreneurs including women and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Learn what you can do to position yourself for success and what resources and support are there to help you on your journey. 

What’s In A Name? How to Build and Protect Your Brand 

How do you take a budding idea and transform it into a global brand? How can you identify which elements of your brand might be IP assets and how best to protect them? How do you plan to pitch your idea, secure capital and scale up manufacturing and distribution? Join Shark Tank alum Robbie Cabral, founder, CEO, and owner of BenjiLock, along with experts from the USPTO, U.S. Copyright Office, and U.S. Small Business Administration, and learn how you can build a valuable brand and better protect your products and services through IP.   

  • David S. Gooder, USPTO Commissioner for Trademarks 

  • Robbie Cabral, Founder and CEO, BenjiLock  

  • Miriam Lord, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education, U.S. Copyright Office 

  • Jennifer C. Shieh, Director of Ecosystem Development, Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration  

SXSW EDU Panel Proposals 

EquIP HQ: Demystifying the Patent process in K-12 Education 

How do you get more people inventing? Join us for this interactive workshop highlighting how EquIP HQ, a free online platform created by the USPTO is helping to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in K-12 classrooms. This workshop will walk you through two different activities found on EquIP HQ, Patent Sensei and Patent Quest. After playing these activities, you will have a conceptual understanding of some of the steps needed to take during the patent process including developing skills to help perform a patent search. 

You Belong! Unlock the Power of Invention Education for All 

Who can be an inventor? This innovative workshop is designed to help break down barriers to innovation with free educational resources, hands-on activities, and lesson plans celebrating the 10th anniversary of our Inventor Trading Cards. Empower students of all backgrounds and differing abilities to see themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Engage with diverse inventors’ stories as disciplines converge through project-based learning, STEAM, and invention education. Experience augmented reality technology bringing the cards to life, showcasing 3-D models of inventions and inspiring stories of innovation.