Inside the USPTO: A Special Conversation with Director John Squires (Hosted by Brian Fried)

Join us for a special National Inventor Club event featuring an exclusive recorded interview between Brian Fried and John Squires, the 60th Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. 🗓 Thursday, April 9th ⏰ 6:00 PM ET While this is a recorded interview, Brian Fried will be joining us LIVE to kick things off and wrap up the session—so you can experience it together with fellow inventors in real time. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the leader of America’s Innovation Agency. Director Squires shares his extraordinary journey—from IBM and Goldman Sachs (as their first Chief IP Counsel) to surviving 9/11 and using patents to combat terrorism financing—and what it all means for today’s inventors. In this powerful conversation, you’ll discover: What the USPTO actually does—and why it matters to YOU Why inventor rights are written into the Constitution Free tools and resources available right now at USPTO.gov The rise of independent inventors and what’s changing in 2026 New AI tools helping inventors search and protect ideas Practical advice for every stage of your inventor journey Director Squires’s message is clear: “You’re not doing it alone. We’ve got your back.” Whether you're just getting started or already navigating the patent process, this event will give you insight, clarity, and confidence—straight from the top. 👉 Everyone is welcome—come watch, learn, and be inspired alongside the inventor community!