It all started with a mustard seed of an idea. Nurturing the idea in brainstorm sessions led us to believe its value needed protection, but we lacked the necessary resources. Being ASU students, we decided to explore the resources within the university. Serendipity happened when we found Steve Lisa’s e-mail address on the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law Web site. As the founder of the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic, Steve knew exactly where to lead two young entrepreneurs in need of help protecting their idea. Later that week, we were working on a patent application with the Clinic students and faculty.

The student team was remarkable. In less than 45 days, they turned our idea into a patent application that was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Their work was precise, prompt and professional. The students and faculty were in contact with us through all stages of the process and met numerous times with us in person, and we felt like the Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic was a part of our team. The quality of work and time spent on our patent would have easily cost us thousands of dollars.

Now, our idea has transformed into a start-up company, Chatroam, an Internet company that helps people interact among relative and desired territories. Chatroam users collaborate on this place-based Internet platform to bridge the virtual world with the physical world.

With our secured intellectual property, we are in strong position to pursue funding from ASU’s entrepreneurship grant opportunities. We are grateful for their help and hope others will take advantage of the Clinic.

 

    
   Tyler Anderson (left) & Michael Witham (right)