Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Southeast Florida Innovation and Employment
Presents Export Achievement Certificate to Dyadic International

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas on Friday told members of the Business Development Board’s Life Sciences Cluster Committee that protecting intellectual property against piracy and counterfeiting is a key part of economic growth, particularly in southeast Florida. 

“Florida is celebrated as an innovation hub,” noted Under Secretary Dudas.  “I am impressed with the economic growth in this region especially in the biotechnology arena,” said Dudas. 

Under Secretary Dudas also reported late-breaking news on the economy.  “This morning we received very positive information about the U.S. economy. It is strong and growing at a steady pace, and the outlook is favorable.”

According to the Under Secretary, the Labor Department today announced that the U.S. economy gained 92,000 new jobs in October.  The U.S. economy has created more than 6.8 million news jobs since August 2003.  The United States’ unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent nationally, which is lower than the average unemployment rate for the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.  Unemployment is currently 3.2 percent in Florida.

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New USPTO Video Now Available for Viewing
“Promoting Innovation:  Today’s USPTO”

Come visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office without leaving your home.  With its foundation in the Constitution of the United States, our patent system is as old as the country itself. As its guardian, the USPTO has undergone many changes in its storied history. 

“Promoting Innovation:  Today’s USPTO” is a video program about the agency’s history, what it does, how it works and why it is a vital part of our economy and culture.  You can view the 27-minute video now at the following links:

>>View Video [requires RealPlayer ]
>>Video with Caption. [requires RealPlayer version 10 or later]

Calling All Inventors
Enter this Year’s Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge Today

The Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge, co-sponsored by the USPTO, is now accepting entries for the 2007 Modern Marvel of the Year. Created by the History Channel and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, the Challenge offers a $25,000 grand prize, an opportunity to be featured on the History Channel during a special Great Inventions Week in May, 2007, and the inclusion of your invention in a national exhibit tour.

The deadline for entries is November 20. For more details go to www.invent.org/challenge