Articles

HCC and Qualcomm partner to help aspiring inventors receive patents

Jan 19, 2024

Houston Community College (HCC) and Qualcomm Inc. of San Diego, Calif., the world’s leading wireless technology innovator in semiconductors, software and services related to wireless technology, are collaborating to support and foster a more inclusive patent ecosystem for inventors and innovators.

Qualcomm is enabling HCC students who wish to take The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA) to help underrepresented inventors learn about intellectual property, the patenting process and how to work with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

An online course already took place in November with 20-plus participants through the HCC’s Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives.

“The program was a wonderful way to learn the process of applying for a patent,” said Carola Medina, a participant. “Carlyn Burton, our instructor, was a great presenter who clarified many complex issues (in) the patent process.”

Qualcomm and Invent Together – an alliance of universities, nonprofits, companies, and other stakeholders – created the academy to provide the tools and knowledge inventors need to obtain patents and give insight into the patent system. The classes feature actual inventors, patent holders, patent practitioners and experts.

Taking the class is free of charge. It is divided into three 2 to 3-hour learning modules and is presented in short, digestible lessons that can be completed at one’s own pace. Instructors teach how to patent inventions and prepare for potential challenges on a patent-seeking journey, with particular attention to systemic barriers that affect historically underrepresented inventors.

“Qualcomm has long championed strong patent rights because we know the personal, national and global transformative power they bring,” said Sudeepto Roy, Qualcomm vice president of Engineering and Regional Strategy and Engagement lead. “We were motivated by the belief that everyone can invent, that every inventor can learn to patent, and that strong patent rights empower individual inventors to transform the world.”

Learn more about the HCC TIPA program and register at: hcc.idloom.events/HCC-TIPA.