Regional patent office director to visit UNL

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and NUtech Ventures will host several public events with Molly Kocialski, director of the Rocky Mountain Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office, during her March 29-30 visit to the university.

As director of the office since January, Kocialski carries out the strategic direction of the undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO and focuses on the nine-state region.

Public events in Lincoln include:

8 a.m. March 29, 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100: "Patents and the Economy: Is There a Link?" The goal of this session is to develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role patents play in building the economy.
11:30 a.m. March 29, University of Nebraska College of Law: "IP Law Update." This session will discuss the impact of recent court decisions, rules and policy changes on intellectual property law. The event is directed toward lawyers and law students and qualifies for Continuing Legal Education credit.
7 p.m. March 29, Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive: "Supporting Innovation with IP." This session will explain the role intellectual property plays in innovation and business development. The event is directed toward students.
9 a.m. March 30, Nebraska Global, 151 N. Eighth St.: "Why are Patents Important to Startups?" This session will explain the importance of obtaining patent protection and the resources available for startups seeking patent protection. The event is directed toward startups.

For more information on the Lincoln sessions, contact NUtech Ventures at 402-472-1783.

Kocialski also will attend several sessions in Omaha on March 30.