Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »
Social Responsibility's Strategic Benefits
December 15, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
Join Ed Granger-Happ, CIO of Save the Children, for a discussion of how creating an organization that is socially responsible improves staffing, retention, leadership development and overall corporate health.
Working With and Communicating to Your Board of Directors
January 13, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
CIO panelists who will share tips and experiences working with their boards: Twila Day of SYSCO; Jeff O'Hare, West Corp.; Marc West, formerly with H&R Block.
IT's Role in Growing Mid-Market Companies
January 14, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET (GMT-5)
Mid-market Council members will share their companies' stories and challenges in driving or coping with growth. Panelists represent Veterinary Pet Insurance, Medicis Pharmaceutical, and Intrax Cultural Exchange.
Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »Apply today for a FREE subscription to CIO Magazine!
August 01, 2003 — CIO — Now that the courts have begun respecting software patents, big software companies have rushed to patent everything they have. Some argue that this stampede, rather than protecting innovation, actually harms it, reducing choice and raising costs for the CIO. They say the software industry is so complex and ubiquitous that our patent system isn’t equipped to protect software developers and CIOs. Instead, it rewards big companies that acquire broad software patents, charge competitors hefty license fees, bleed the market dry of choice and use their deep pockets to defend their vast patent portfolios in court.
Defenders of the system say that while we have indeed hit a bad patch—with too many broad patents and too much litigation—we’re simply seeing history repeat itself. There is always a period of turmoil when a "new" technology is patented, with a flurry of patents and court fights until things settle down and we see that patents do what they have always done: reward innovators for their intellectual curiosity, and protect them from copycats.
One thing is clear: The U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) is overwhelmed, both by the volume and complexity of software patent applications. We asked two experienced patent attorneys to argue the two sides of the case so that you can decide: Is the patent system breaking down, or is patience a virtue? © 2008 CXO Media Inc.
Just the basics, please. Sometimes we all need a refresher or we need to make sure our team and our colleagues are all on the same page.
Over 25 tutorials on everything from business intelligence to virtualization.