USPTO Intellectual Property (IP) Basics

Are you interested in learning about intellectual property (IP) basics? Join us for an interactive virtual session. In this webinar, you will be provided an overview of the different types of IP (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights) and learn the importance of understanding each type. USPTO experts will provide an overview of the various types of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Meet our speakers:

Jacob Y. Choi is the Regional Assistant Director of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Texas Regional Office. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Texas Regional Office, ensuring the delivery of quality products and services to the Intellectual Property (IP) community and stakeholders through regional education and outreach. His duties include managing facility, staffing, infrastructure, and onboarding for all regional office staff and externs. He provides leadership and management for the administrative, information technology, and security contract staff, as well as regional outreach efforts. Additionally, he ensures organizational consistency and coordination across the USPTO by collaborating with business units including Patents, Trademarks, the Patent Trial Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Trademark Trial Appeal Board (TTAB).

Reynaldo D. Vasquez serves as the Texas Regional Outreach Officer, overseeing stakeholder engagement and outreach initiatives for the USPTO across the eight states in the Texas Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Before joining the USPTO, Mr. Vasquez worked with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as an Economic Development Specialist, Veterans Business Development Officer, and District International Trade Officer for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. He served with the U.S. SBA from December 2009 to April 2021. Prior to that, he worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) from 2006 to 2009, assisting with purchasing and administration. Additionally, Mr. Vasquez served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2006 and has continued to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard as a Human Resources and Dental Specialist since 2006.