Thoughtful Thursdays by Tornado IP | Episode 1, Part 2:
In this session, we continue our conversation about the royalty free patents from the Pentagon with Mike Bowe, a retired chemist from Dow Chemical. We share practical strategies for evaluating, sorting, and licensing these patents, emphasizing the importance of understanding licensing terms and using advanced patent search tools.
Keywords:
patents, Pentagon patents, licensing, patent search, government patents, R&D, intellectual property, technology licensing
Key topics
• Pentagon's free patent access program
• How to evaluate and sort government patents
• Strategies for licensing and collaboration
Thoughtful Thursdays by Tornado IP | Episode 1, Part 1:
In this episode Dr. Szilvia Szep and Dr. Mike Bowe discuss the implications of the Pentagon's offer of free access to government-held patents. They explore the challenges of commercializing patents, the role of licensing fees, and the myths surrounding patent value. The conversation emphasizes the importance of considering various factors beyond just obtaining a patent when bringing an invention to market. takeaways • The Pentagon's offer of free patents presents a unique opportunity. • Many patents remain unused due to various commercialization challenges. • Licensing fees are not the only barrier to innovation. • Successful commercialization requires more than just a patent. • Market access and manufacturing capabilities are crucial for product development. • The government holds a vast array of patents that could benefit industry. • Research and development must consider the entire product lifecycle. • Patents can protect inventions but do not guarantee market success. • Collaboration with partners can enhance the commercialization process. • Understanding the market is essential for bringing a product to fruition. titles • Unlocking Government Patents: A New Era for Innovation • The Hidden Value of Unused Patents Sound Bites • "It's not a gimmick." • "Can we do it cost-effectively?" • "Do we have a route to market?" Chapters 00:00Introduction to IP Strategy and Government Patents 02:33Challenges in Commercializing Patents 05:11The Impact of Free Patent Access on Innovation
Fireside Chat: Trademarks & Patents in the AI Era
How brand, legal and R&D leaders can reconnect trademarks, patents and trade secrets to reduce risk, speed decisions and spend smarter.
John Hancock — Data & Brand-Protection Expert (Guest) Data-analytics specialist, with experience turning marketplace and takedown data into practical enforcement priorities and executive-level reporting. In this session, John shares how evidence from the field (counterfeits, look-alikes, online abuse) should inform trademark strategy and complement patent and trade-secret choices.
Szilvia (Silvia) Szep, PhD — CEO & Founder, Tornado IP Consulting Yale-trained PhD, Harvard-trained management professional, and U.S. Patent Agent. Former IP Strategy Laureate at DuPont (Electronics & Industrials) with prior IP leadership at Dow. She has shaped IP-driven growth across advanced materials, life sciences, and semiconductors—enabling 1,000+ colleagues and delivering seven-figure savings through portfolio audits, trade-secret programs, and due diligence. Today she helps executives link IP strategy to revenue, run clean FTO pathways, and pressure-test partnerships/M&A.