(Friedrick Schweitzer Pictured Second from Right)
WASHINGTON, DC— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) highlighted a Montana Company’s, software program, O.R. PEER, as a national leader in innovation. Company Founder, Friedrick Schweitzer from Laurel Montana, was a Special Guest at the GIPC’s 6th annual Intellectual Property (IP) Summit in Washington, DC. The company was one of ten companies profiled by the GIPC’s national Faces of IP project, which features small and medium sized businesses, highlighting the important role innovation and creativity. This project also focuses on how IP rights incentivize and safeguard their hard work and ingenuity.
Developed in 2006, Operating Room Staff use O.R. PEER to assist with room setup, patient positioning, equipment, and specific instructions for over 40 surgical procedures.
The U.S. Chamber has put out a statement that “O.R. PEER’s story represents the same spirit of innovation and creativity that helped build the strongest economy in the world,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. “O.R. PEER’s customized computer system could reduce medical errors in the Operating Room that cause over 98,000 deaths annually, save billions of dollars in unnecessary costs, and create more than 5,000 jobs nationwide.”
Friedrick spoke on a panel to more than 200 professionals and executives from companies including Google, Intel, and GE. He highlighted the importance of Patent Reform: “The problem many startup companies face is the high costs of protecting their Intellectual Property. Obtaining and defending patents can cost over $1 million. Many entrepreneurs develop their innovations on shoe-string budgets. Do we spend our limited resources on growing the business or patents? If patent’s were more affordable and less costly to defend, we would see more innovation.”
Friedrick attributes his innovative solutions to growing up on a ranch in Montana. “On the ranch, you make the best with what you have. Montanan’s are natural problem solvers, and innovators. If your tractor breaks down in the field, paperwork won’t fix it, you need to be creative to get it working with what you have. Those same skills are crucial in technology development. Montanan are innovative people that can develop plenty of innovations for America, but they can’t afford the lawyers and paperwork.”
While in DC, Friedrick met with Montana Senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester.
Senator Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, applauded Mr. Schweitzer’s efforts:
“We are proud that innovative solutions are being developed in Montana that will improve the quality of healthcare. As I work to reform the nation’s health care system, it is just this kind Montana know-how and forward thinking that will ensure we continue to create good paying jobs and lead the world in ideas and technology.”
More information about O.R. PEER is available at www.ORPEER.com
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
