Federal patent official to lead FVCC workshop

The Center for Manufacturing Advancement and the Small Business Development Center at Flathead Valley Community College will host an intellectual property workshop Friday from noon to 5 p.m., diving into the details of patents, intellectual property law and resources for business owners.

“It’s going to be pretty unique,” said Chris Parson, project director at the Center for Manufacturing Advancement. “Most people don’t realize the importance of intellectual property. Every business has intellectual property.”

Molly Kocialski, the director of the Rocky Mountain Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, will keynote the workshop. The presentation begins at noon with an overview of intellectual property, including different types of patents, software patents and nondisclosure agreements.

The second portion of the workshop will focus on the America Invents Act and other rule changes that impact “First Inventor to File” applicants. In the third part of the workshop, Kocialski will provide an overview of resources available through the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

The last half hour will be reserved for questions and answers.

Parson said the workshop is well-fitted for the Flathead Valley, which is home to several established industries as well as unique new companies.

“There’s a lot of folks that are going out there and starting new things,” he said. “We have a lot of startups here, and a lot of manufacturers and technology companies. This is an opportunity to understand what intellectual property means for new businesses.”

Space for the event is limited to 70 people. For more information, contact Parson at cparson@fvcc.edu or 756-4377.