277: The Sport of Kings

Embedded.fm · 8 Feb 2019 · 1h 16m · Episode 277

What this episode covers

Jie Qi, founder of Chibitronics and PatentPandas.org, explains how her work creating paper-based electronics and circuit stickers led to unexpected patent conflicts. She details the process of using conductive tape and stickers to build accessible hardware for education and storytelling. Qi discusses the legal realities of open-source hardware, including a specific instance where a backer patented her LED sticker product and Google filed patents on concepts discussed during a job interview. She outlines strategies for protecting prior art and the high costs associated with patent litigation for individual creators.

Mentioned

Companies
Chibitronics, Google, ATAP, MIT Media Lab, Harvard Law School, Berkman Klein Center, USPTO
Products
Little Bits, LED stickers
Materials
Copper tape, Z-tape
Also
PatentPandas.org, Prior Art Archive, Patents.StackExchange, Archive.org

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