Morning Tech Tip sheet: Tuesday, May 25

U.S. Patent Office loosens rules for green tech (CNet) — The patent office announced Friday that it has changed the application process to attract more green technologies into an accelerated patent-review program.
The Green Technology Pilot program was created in December to encourage more inventors to apply for patents relating to green technology. If accepted, those patent petitions will get priority screening under the one-year trial program.

On Friday, the patent office eliminated the need for green technology patent applications to comply with its previously specified classifications. The requirements had narrowed the definition of green technology more than is necessary, the patent office said.

THIS WEEK’S TOP EVENTS:

TUESDAY

Future of Music Coalition
D.C. Policy Day
Where: New America Foundation, 1899 L St. NW
When: May 25, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
NOTE: House/Senate committee staff, industry leaders discuss issues related to the performance community, including the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, as well as other topics of concern such as the FCC’s move to rein in broadband providers

Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Business meeting: Includes discussion of International Cyberspace and Cybersecurity Coordination Act
Where: S-116
When: May 25, 2:15 p.m.
NOTE: Legislation spearheaded by Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) would direct the State Department to appoint an “ambassador at large” for cybersecurity issues

WEDNESDAY

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, FTC, Dept. of Justice
Joint workshop on patents and competition policy
Where: USPTO’s office in Alexandria
When: May 26, 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
NOTE: Speakers include PTO Director David Kappos, Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney and White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra

House Science and Technology Committee
Hearing on the White House’s plans for NASA and human space flight
Where: May 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
When: Rayburn 2318
NOTE: Among those testifying on Wednesday will be NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and former astronaut Neil Armstrong

Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet
Hearing on upgrades to the Americans With Disabilities Act
Where: Russell 253
When: May 26, 2:30 p.m.
NOTE: Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), with Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), wants to upgrade the ADA to ensure those with visual or hearing impairments can still access and use new technology.

THURSDAY

House Science and Technology Committee
Hearing on interoperable public safety communications equipment
Where: Rayburn 2318
When: May 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
NOTE: Top witnesses include Department of Homeland Security interoperability chief David Boyd and National Institute of Standards and Technology public safety communications manager Dereck Orr