# An Interview with Joe Long

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-12-17
- Length: 1h 35m
- Episode: 420
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/420-an-interview-with-joe-long/

## Summary

Joe Long, founder of HackerBoxes and IP attorney at Long Tech Law, discusses his dual career in hardware education and intellectual property. He explains how HackerBoxes curates electronics kits and components to teach hands-on skills, emphasizing a 'Lego-like' approach where users build libraries of parts rather than just single projects. Long also details the rigorous process of patent law, explaining the difference between utility and design patents, the 'machine or transformation' test for software, and the high costs and low success rates associated with independent invention.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=0) Introduction: Joe Long and HackerBoxes at DEF CON
- [1:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=99) HackerBoxes Subscription Model and Educational Philosophy
- [7:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=425) Joe Long's Career Path: Engineering, Patent Law, and HackerBoxes
- [9:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=574) Box Design: Model Kits vs. Lego and Component Sourcing
- [17:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=1031) Multivariable Constraints: Weight, Budget, and Educational Value
- [25:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=1544) Safety, Community Learning, and the 'Messing Up' Philosophy
- [40:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=2401) IP Law Practice: Utility vs. Design Patents and Patent Trolls
- [53:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=3193) The Patent Process: Novelty, Non-Obviousness, and Rejections
- [1:09:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=4191) Software Patents and the Machine or Transformation Test
- [1:24:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long#t=5079) The Patent Funnel: Costs, Risks, and Business Value

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- HackerBoxes (product)
- Long Tech Law (company)
- DEF CON (other)
- Arduino (product)
- ESP32 (chip)
- LM3D6 (chip)
- AliExpress (other)
- Alibaba (other)
- JPL (company)
- Georgia Tech (company)
- USPTO (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [277: The Sport of Kings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-08-277-the-sport-of-kings) (Embedded.fm)
- [58: Use These Powers For Good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-07-02-58-use-these-powers-for-good) (Embedded.fm)
- [40: Mwahaha Session](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-02-26-40-mwahaha-session) (Embedded.fm)
- [S2E51 The Hardware Academy | John Teel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-03-s2e51-the-hardware-academy-john-teel) (Being an Engineer)
- [238: Fun fun create time record time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-11-22-238-fun-fun-create-time-record-time) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.