Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Learn about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovations as you transition from idea to product. The session will cover:
• What is the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)?
• An overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
• Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
• How to get started in protecting your intellectual property.

Ramon Mercado, Ph.D. holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and gained valuable experience through internships at Texas Instruments, where he focused on developing testing equipment for mixed signal devices. Continuing his educational journey, Ramon earned a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Iowa State University, specializing in software/hardware co-design for embedded systems. During his time at Iowa State, he actively contributed to curriculum development, particularly in the area of embedded system design. Ramon designed lab exercises aimed at providing students with practical examples to enhance their theoretical understanding.

In 2010, Ramon joined the US Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner, specializing in computer memory and storage. Alongside examining patents, he played a role in training new hires at the patent training academy. Currently, Ramon serves as the assistant outreach coordinator for the Eastern Region Outreach Office of the USPTO; where he focuses on educating the public on Intellectual Property and helping demystify the patent process.