Who’s That Under the Bridge? Patents, Trolls, and the Price of Innovation
⚖️ What do inventors actually get in exchange for telling the world their secrets?
Patents reflect a bargain between inventors and society. In exchange for publicly explaining how their inventions work, inventors receive a time-limited right to prevent others from making, using, or selling those inventions. The system is meant to encourage investment in new technology while ensuring patent rights eventually expire, so inventions become available for everyone to use.
In this talk, intellectual property attorney John Steger explains the origins of the U.S. patent system, what can and cannot be patented, and how someone actually obtains one. He also examines how patent lawsuits unfold, why even questionable cases can be extraordinarily expensive to fight, and how the rise of so-called patent trolls has reshaped the landscape.
Ultimately, Steger asks a bigger question: is the modern patent system still encouraging innovation and serving the public interest it was designed to protect? 📜
🕰 Event Details
What should I expect?
7:00-7:35 --> arrival & chats
7:35-8:20 --> lecture
8:20-9:00 --> q&a and more chatting!
Who's invited?
Anyone with an interest in learning new things, meeting new people, and doing fun things on weeknights! Lots of people came solo to our last event, so don't be afraid to do the same—you’ll meet some awesome people!
What about parking?
There's no parking on-site, so we recommend street parking or using public transportation.
Do I have to be 21+?
Yes! This lecture is hosted at a bar that requires all occupants to be 21+.
Will this event be photographed or recorded?
Photos and short video clips may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded. We do not do full recordings of lectures at this time.
🔔 Stay in the Loop
I can't make it to this event. How do I stay updated for future events?
How do I become a speaker?
Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think your lecture is a good fit! 👉 Speaker form
🧾 Policies
The lecture is sold out! Can I join a waitlist?
Unfortunately, Luma does NOT support waitlists for paid events yet. We recommend checking back on the event site the day before / the day of the event! Attendees are likely to drop out.
What about refunds?
You can refund your ticket up to 24 hours before the event starts. Since this is a limited-space event, we encourage you to update your RSVP if you can’t make it—this helps us keep spots open for others. NOTE - you do NOT need to email us for a refund, we will issue one within 48 hours upon changing your RSVP to "Not Going" :)
What about the ticket structure?
We’re proud to pay all of our incredible venues and hardworking speakers, and the rest supports the Big Brain team so we can keep bringing community lectures to the Bay Area.
We also reserve a handful of financial assistance tickets for every lecture. If you need support, please email hello@bigbrainlectures.com
What about accessibility?
We want our lectures to be as accessible as possible. Accessibility can vary depending on the space, so please research our specific venue to learn more about things like wheelchair access and service animal policies. If you have any accessibility needs not covered here, please email us at hello@bigbrainlectures.com and we’ll do our best to support you.
What about email updates?
By registering for this event, you’ll be added to the Big Brain mailing list and receive occasional updates about future lectures and events. You can unsubscribe at any time.
🧠 Community Guidelines
Big Brain events are designed to be welcoming, curious, and respectful spaces for learning and connection.
By attending, you agree to treat speakers, staff, venue employees, and fellow attendees with respect and to follow all venue rules and staff instructions.
Harassment, disruptive behavior, or excessive intoxication will not be tolerated. For the safety and comfort of everyone, Big Brain and the venue reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any attendee at any time, without refund, if behavior is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful.
🍸 Alcohol & Safety
Depending on the venue, alcohol may be sold and served exclusively by the venue in accordance with California law. Big Brain is not responsible or liable for alcohol service, overconsumption, or any actions resulting from intoxication. By attending, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with a public indoor event and agree that you are solely responsible for your own conduct, safety, and transportation before, during, and after the event.
Thanks for supporting our growing mission! 🧠✨
*For any other questions or special accommodations, please email hello@bigbrainlectures.com.