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Clause 8IP news that matters with a focus on patent law. Author: Eli Mazour
The podcast listened to by sophisticated in-house counsel, judges from around the world, IP policymakers, senior USPTO officials, and top patent dealmakers and attorneys to stay ahead of the curve by understanding the personalities and forces shaping IP. Eli Mazours love of talking to people along with his belief in the importance of Americas patent system led him to start Clause 8. Clause 8 features conversations that provide strategic insights about how to best deal with various patent-related issues. Some of the previous guests include Americas great innovators, federal judges, USPTO Directors, top IP staffers on Capitol Hill, and Carole Baskins attorney from the documentary Tiger King. It's the #1 podcast about IP and is in the top 2.5% of all podcasts according to Listen Score. The podcast has been covered and cited in many publications, including Bloomberg, Law360, Courthouse News Service, Above the Law, IAM, and Original Jurisdiction. www.voiceofip.com Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, News, Tech News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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USPTO Director John Squires' 'Foxhole Buddy' Tells All, Previews Message at Upcoming House Hearing
Sunday, 22 March, 2026
The story of how John Squires became USPTO Director doesn’t start inside the Beltway. It starts on the Appalachian Trail, with Doug Pittman camping under shooting stars the night after Trump won the election.Pittman — a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and self-described “foxhole buddy” and “wingman” of Squires — drove up from Georgia to sit down with Eli for this episode., fresh off a meeting with the new director himself. What he shared was a rare inside account of how Squires ended up in the job, what he walked into, and why Pittman believes the USPTO finally has the right person at the helm.“Andrei went to Trump and said I’ve Got Your Man”The short version: it was Pittman who planted the seed.The moment Trump won, Pittman texted Andrei Iancu — the former USPTO director — from a campsite on the trail. Other names were circulating, and he wasn’t a fan of what he was hearing. His answer was John Squires, his own patent attorney. Iancu’s response: Do you think John would do it? Pittman said he’d ask.When he did, Squires’ reaction was immediate: “Doug, you’ve lost your mind.”But Pittman kept pushing, and Iancu worked his magic with the new admistration. Then Howart Lutnick got confirmed as Commerce Secretary. Squires and Lutnick already had a bond forged after 9/11. When Lutnick landed at Commerce — the patent office’s parent agency — the pieces fell into place.“Andrei went to Trump and said, ‘I’ve got your man.’ Long story short, that’s how John became USPTO nominee.”In this episode, Doug discusses:* Journey from son of a pig farmer to serial entrepreneur — including selling his first company in 1998 without ever opening his own envelope* How a billboard spotted on a drive to college with his son inspired the invention that led his first patent, and the years-long journey to get that first patent granted* Why he cried when the patent arrived — and why tears of joy turned into “tears of unhappiness”* How John Squires led his enforcement strategy and and the twists & turns of that impacted Squires’ view of the patent system* Litigation funders walking away over Section 101 and PTAB exposure* The litigation saga, including the experience of having a judge handle a patent case for the first time* Meeting with former USPTO Director Kathi Vidal and Doug’s unvarnished take on her legacy* The PTAB problem, the injunctive relief gap, and what needs to happen for independent inventors to feel comfortable with the patent system* Squires’ upcoming testimony before the House IP committee — and why Pittman thinks it’s a pivotal moment* His “1-8-8 Project,” his advice to Squires to “push the limit,” and the personal picture he sent the director to serve as a daily reminder in his role📌 Presented by Tradespace – where ideas take flight.Disclaimer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.voiceofip.com
