Theranos Trial!

 

Basics:

How do we define an Invention?

It’s a product or process built with novel inventive step(s) capable of being industrial applicable.

 

There’re no words alike may, might, method, probable in any Claims Section of any Patent Application, as Claims are precise, concise, elucidated with exact values or measurements.

 

The Patents granted should not impede protection of public health or nutrition. That’s why Patent working status, post grant, every calendar year is filed by every patentee & every licensee. As Patent can be revoked too on this ground.

 

And even before grant, that probable invention can be worked on the similar terms on protection of public health or nutrition, as it takes a while in grant/refusal/appeal. But it can be refused/revoked under Anticipation clause, if any similar invention proved out too be already existing before the priority filing.

 

A product/process might not work or even stop working, but, it still would be a novel inventive step, & on the basis of what other inventions can be built; collectively defining Innovation.

 

Sometimes under ambit of Innovation, the Owners of the firm/company (usually happens in MSMEs/Partnerships/Pvt. Ltd./Proprietorships) add their own names as one of Inventors’ in the inventions, while they not being among the inventors’ themselves, rather employees’ are. And for all Genuine/Legal reasons, such inventions/trade secrets belong to that Company (independent entity) / Firms only; unless otherwise any specific contract been executed.

 

So, whenever I hear/read any news about any dropout becoming an overnight Star in STEM, I first check the Subject from which that person dropped out. If it’s Computer Science & Engg. or Electronics or similar Training, then absolutely possible & justifiable, as these Subjects shouldn’t even be covered or considered under Engineering. Even in Mechanical it’s possible.

 

BUT, when I hear a Chemical/Biotech/Chemistry/Aerospace etc. course/training dropout, inventing something revolutionary in that particular subject, & that too, dropped out in, first or second year of that course/training, then I check the PR Agency that person has hired or how much in assets owns the company. Of course, beautiful minds are always born BUT they’re rare phenomenon & their products/processes/theories at least work or become foundation for another layer.

 

Embezzlements in Finance are normal because of loopholes in the laws. Nirav, Mallaya, Enron etc. are few such examples. 

 

But how that can happen in STEM is unfathomable to me! And Theranos is one such example.

 

I’m not going to write anything about Holmes or Balwani as the trial is still going on BUT if any technology was unworkable & that too, related to public health, then forget about any Innovators’ / Inventors’ / Owners’ / Investors’ own assertions’ about it being an unparalleled invention; how & why every other person related to STEM couldn’t see or test the facts until that product grew up to whooping $9B in Valuation? Or everything in LIFE is just restricted to Forbes under 20 or 30, come what may or whatever the case?

 

Emily Dickinson had to write hundreds of great poems for the next few decades to establish her name. And writing good poems require unparalleled LIFE experiences. Which can’t be measured by Forbes under 10 or 20 or 30! 😇

© Pranav Chaturvedi