Protecting Ideas: Cedarville University's Dr. Kary Oberbrunner Receives Patent
06 Mayo 2024 - 8:11AM
After years of strategically working on a method to protect
intellectual property, Dr. Kary Oberbrunner, Berry chair of
entrepreneurship at Cedarville University, received a patent for
his Easy IP invention.
Oberbrunner originally filed the
patent in 2022, working with Caldwell Intellectual Property Law —
the fastest-growing IP law firm in America the past three years.
Last month, Oberbrunner was notified his request was
approved.
“Our team has worked a long time for
this patent,” said Oberbrunner. “It’s amazing to finally receive it
from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.”
Easy IP allows entrepreneurs, artists
and creatives to protect their ideas by leveraging blockchain
technology. Easy IP turns the idea into a smart contract,
timestamping the new digital asset. This event establishes a first
use event, which is visible on any device worldwide. Although
everyone can see the smart contract, no one can edit it, not even
the owner. This makes the new idea immutable.
The new patent has led to many new
speaking opportunities for Oberbrunner, who recently was a keynote
speaker on Easy IP at the Relate, Innovate, Impact conference in
Washington, North Carolina. In May, Oberbrunner will speak at the
London Conference to over 12,000 attendees.
In October 2024, he’ll release his new
book “Easy IP” with co-author Katherine Rubino, a partner at
Caldwell.
“I consider it a huge blessing to
represent Cedarville at this international event,” said
Oberbrunner. “These opportunities help me offer more value to my
entrepreneur and marketing students. I’m still in the game, just
like them, and I can teach with empathy, knowing the highs and lows
of pitching and presenting new ideas and solutions to
problems.”
Oberbrunner is a Wall Street Journal
and USA Today bestselling author and has authored 13 other books.
He is also the CEO of Igniting Souls and Blockchain Life.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville
University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution
with an enrollment of 5,456 undergraduate, graduate, and dual
enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of
study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private
universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic
Christian community, rigorous academic programs, such as their
business programs and entrepreneurship minor, high graduation and
retention rates, accredited professional and health science
offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal
for student engagement. For more information about the University,
visit cedarville.edu.
By Ella Smith
Photo Captions
- 1. Easy IP Patent
- 2. Dr. Oberbrunner with students
Photos By Scott Huck and Dr.
Oberbrunner
- Academic Excellence
- Protecting intellectual property
Mark D. Weinstein
Cedarville University
937-532-6885
mweinstein@cedarville.edu