Press Release - August 2, 2006

Out of the Box Computing to Support Community Patent Review Initiative

Out-of-the-Box Computing, a privately-held fabless semiconductor company based in Palo Alto, CA, has become the newest participant in the Community Patent Review Initiative. Out-of-the-Box Computing is the first private company, and the smallest, to agree to allow some of its published patent applications to be peer reviewed as part of the community peer review pilot program in partnership with the USPTO.

"As a start-up company in the highly competitive general-purpose processor sector, we are keenly aware of the need to protect our intellectual property assets as we approach the commercialization stage. The community peer review pilot project attracted our attention as a worthwhile effort to improve the quality and timeliness of the patent application review process," said Ivan Godard, CEO for Out-of-the-Box Computing. "The beauty of the U.S. Patent system is that it provides a level-playing field for all inventors, whether they are individuals, start-up companies or global enterprises. We see the Community Patent Review Initiative as an excellent way to ensure the overall fairness of the patent review process by providing the examiners with extraordinary access to prior art and commentary."

Professor Beth Noveck, Director of the Institute for Information Law & Policy at New York Law School, said "we want to demonstrate the value of open and public peer review for small and large companies alike and applaud Out-of-the-Box. We welcome more small and medium-sized companies to join the pilot."

For press inquiries, contact Nancy Guida at nguida@nyls.edu.