On August 6 (Monday) there is going to be the lecture *"Patents 101: A brief introduction to Intellectual Property"* *by Mr. Sid Bennett**.* *Time and place*: August 6, 1:30-2:30pm @ BRK 1001. The event is organised by OSA Purdue Student Chapter. *About the lecture*: This talk focuses on patents from the viewpoint of the inventor. Essential aspects of patent law and practice are briefly explained with a view to improving communication between the inventor and other people involved in the process of obtaining a patent. Some of the essential steps to be taken, the avoidance of common misconceptions and the impact of recent changes in patent law on issues such as the effect of publication on the novelty of an invention in the US and abroad are discussed. This talk is meant for scientists and engineers who, sometime during their careers will discover something, or solve a problem, that would lead to a patent. Some relevant patents are discussed as examples. *Brief bio of Mr. Sid Bennett*: Sid retired after a 40 year career as an engineer, inventor and executive in the aerospace and telecommunications industries. For the past 10 years he has helped other inventors obtain patent protection for their ideas, practicing as a patent agent before the US Patent and Trademark Office. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and an MS in Electrical Engineering from New York University. For a decade he was Chair of the IEEE Gyro and Accelerometer Panel, an industry standards group, and has been a member of the board of Governors of the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society, and the IEEE Standard Board. He received the IEEE Third Millennium Medal and is named as an inventor on 14 US patents. *Time and place*: August 6, 1:30-2:30pm @ BRK 1001. The event is organised by OSA Purdue Student Chapter. *OSA Purdue Student Chapter organizes a lunch with Mr. Sid Bennett for its members before the lecture (12:00-1:00pm) @ BRK 1001.* -- Mikhail Y. Shalaginov PhD student Research assistant Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology Center Vice President of OSA Purdue Student Chapter 1205 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2057 tel: +1 765 496 3350; fax: +1 765 496 2018 email: shalaginov@purdue.edu http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mshalagi/