Actor Terrence Howard’s Claims of Holding a Patent for Augmented and Virtual Reality Technology

Actor Terrence Howard recently made headlines when he claimed to hold a patent for augmented and virtual reality technology. However, it turns out that Howard’s patent application was abandoned in 2013, and he does not currently hold an active patent for this technology.

In a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, Howard spoke about his various patents and specifically mentioned his “World of Windows” patent as the basis for the entire AR/VR world. While it is true that Howard filed a patent application in 2010 related to merging virtual reality with real-world sensory experiences, the application was ultimately abandoned in 2013.

The patent application, titled “System and Method for Merging Virtual Reality and Reality to Provide an Enhanced Sensory Experience,” described a system that would merge virtual reality sensory detail from a remote site into a room environment at a local site. However, due to a “Failure to Respond to an Office Action,” Howard’s application was not granted a patent.

While it is interesting that Howard’s patent application has been cited by companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM in their own AR/VR technology, this does not mean that they used any of his proprietary prototypes, specs, or technology. Citing prior patent applications is a common practice to demonstrate awareness and relevance in the field, but it does not imply agreement or use of the ideas presented.

Howard expressed regret over not pursuing the AR/VR patent further, believing it had significant financial potential. However, it is important to note that filing a patent application is separate from holding a granted patent. Filing provides a formal submission to seek exclusive territorial rights, but it is the patent grant that confers those rights.

In conclusion, while Terrence Howard did file a patent application for augmented and virtual reality technology, his application was abandoned in 2013, and he does not currently hold a patent for this technology.

Additional facts:

1. Terrence Howard is a well-known actor, best known for his roles in films such as “Hustle & Flow” and the television series “Empire.”
2. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) defines augmented reality (AR) as a technology that superimposes computer-generated imagery onto the user’s view of the real world, while virtual reality (VR) immerses the user in a simulated environment.
3. The patent application filed by Howard in 2010 aimed to merge virtual reality with real-world sensory experiences, providing an enhanced sensory experience.
4. Patent applications go through a rigorous examination process by patent offices before they are granted, and many applications are abandoned or rejected during this process.
5. Howard’s patent application was abandoned due to a “Failure to Respond to an Office Action,” which means that he did not provide a necessary response to the patent examiner’s objections or requests for clarification.
6. It is common for companies to cite prior patent applications, including abandoned ones, to demonstrate awareness of existing technology and to show relevance in their own patent applications.
7. Holding a patent for augmented and virtual reality technology could potentially be financially lucrative, as these technologies are rapidly growing and have numerous applications in various industries.

Key questions and answers:

1. Did Terrence Howard hold a patent for augmented and virtual reality technology?
No, his patent application was abandoned in 2013, and he currently does not hold an active patent for this technology.

2. Why do companies cite prior patent applications in their own technology?
Companies cite prior patent applications to demonstrate knowledge of existing technology and relevance in their own patent applications. It does not necessarily mean they used the ideas presented in those applications.

Key challenges or controversies:

1. Celebrity endorsements or claims regarding patents can sometimes raise false expectations or misconceptions about a person’s ownership or involvement in a certain technology.

Advantages and disadvantages of patents:

Advantages:
– Patents provide exclusive territorial rights, allowing inventors to prevent others from making, using, or selling their invention without permission.
– Patents can be valuable assets, as they may lead to licensing opportunities or even the creation of new businesses based on the patented technology.
– Patents encourage innovation by providing inventors with a period of exclusivity to commercialize their inventions.

Disadvantages:
– Patent applications can be expensive and time-consuming, as they require detailed explanations and legal documentation.
– It is possible for patent applications to be rejected or abandoned, resulting in the loss of potential patent protection.
– Patents typically have a limited lifespan, usually lasting for 20 years from the filing date.

Suggested related link:
World Intellectual Property Organization

The source of the article is from the blog elperiodicodearanjuez.es