Mark Stignani - The Challenge of Whitespace / Searching for Nothing | Ep. #08

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about nothing – more specifically white space analytics. White space analytics are a lesser known analytics discipline, but are very powerful when executed correctly.  Tom Marlow is joined by Mark Stignani, Analytics Chair for Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, as they explore white space, what it is, what it is not, and how to interpret the results. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Mark Stignani is a registered patent attorney at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner. Mark has patent experience in various technology areas, including software, information systems, mobile devices, computer hardware and design, telecommunications, and mechanical. His practice includes prosecution, post-grant proceedings, patent and portfolio analysis, freedom to operate, patent strategy and planning and strategic counseling. Prior to joining Schwegman, Mark served as an Assistant General Counsel for Thomson Reuters for over ten years. While at Thomson Reuters, Mark’s responsibilities included the harvesting and protection of intellectual property associated with software and high value content as well as providing primary intellectual property legal support for business development, contracts, editorial, technology area in the legal, healthcare, and financial services information market groups.  As an integrated team member, Mark also served on various executive committees that drove investment in acquisitions, emerging business development and new product development across a multiple set of marketplaces.  Mark received his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law while working for Alliant Techsystems. He had previously done post graduate work in robotics and control systems at the University of Minnesota and National Technological University while working at Honeywell, Inc. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of IP Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.