All posts by Sean O'Connor

Sean O’Connor is Professor of Law at George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School. He is also Founding Director of the Innovation Law Clinic and Executive Director of the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP). With a diverse background in music, technology, philosophy, history, business, and law, he specializes in legal issues and strategies for entrepreneurship and the commercialization of innovation in biotechnology, information technology, and new media/digital arts.

“Don’t tell J.” Does the Use of Initials Lessen The Fallout of Damaging Emails?

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Sean O'Connor

I’ve done it, frankly, because other people do it. Maybe you do it too. When we’re talking about someone not on the email thread in an unflattering light, we start using their initials. When we talk about them in a … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Creativity, Law

Leave a Comment

The “performance” aspect of professional practice

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Sean O'Connor

Another interesting article in NY Times today. This time focusing on how some doctors are realizing that they are “performing” when providing their services: What Doctors Can Learn From Musicians Even more intriguing from my perspective is the following statement … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Creativity, Methods, Science, Services, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment

The line between basic and applied research; episteme/science vs techne/art

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Sean O'Connor

Exactly two months since my last blog post–not sure where the time went! A NY Times article today provides an excellent story to illustrate the distinction (and hand-off point) between basic and applied research. For purposes of my Means of … Continue reading →

Categories: Art, Biotechnology, Commercialization, Healing Arts, Innovation, Intellectual Property, Life & Health Sciences, Methods, Science, Technology, Technology Transfer, University to Industry

Leave a Comment

Kent Greenfield and “The Myth of Choice”

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Sean O'Connor

Boston College law professor and author Kent Greenfield was in town yesterday to give a thought-provoking colloquium to the UW Law faculty on his new book The Myth of Choice. Through vivid and entertaining visuals and anecdotes he synthesized much … Continue reading →

Categories: Antitrust & Competition Law, Commercial/Contract Law, Corporate/Securities Law, Employment Law, Jurisprudence, Law, Regulatory & Compliance Law, Science, Tax

Leave a Comment

Great Example of an “Innovation Producer”

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Sean O'Connor

An article in the NYT a few days ago featured a young woman who managed to “invent” a prosthetic limb that would reduce phantom limb pain in amputees. The story is great for many reasons. But my focus here is … Continue reading →

Categories: Commerce, Commercialization, Electrical & Digital Arts, Entrepreneurship, Goods/Artifacts, Innovation, Life & Health Sciences, Technology, Technology Entrepreneurship

Leave a Comment