TheBridge profile: Arvin Patel
Name: Arvin Patel
Current city: San Jose, CA
Current job: EVP and Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Rovi Corporation, a TiVo Company
Past job: Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Technicolor
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Hobee's in Sunnyvale, CA. They have been around for more than 30 years and have the best coffee cake in the Valley.
Q. Can you describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job? As a lawyer, I have learned that meticulous preparation and timing is everything when providing a convincing argument about a topic. I try to implement this skill in everyday life and in work.
Q. Job advice in three words? Be -- Kind -- Always.
Q. How are you (or your company) currently bridging the gap between tech/innovation and policy making? TiVo has a twenty-year legacy of technology innovation and protecting our intellectual property. We showcase the importance of protecting the American dream of being an entrepreneur and innovation in our country.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? In many ways the two compliment each other. Public policy can foster the growth of emerging technologies and the incubations and growth of new innovations.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? It is so incredibly important to protect the true spirit of innovation. Too often individual inventors or start-ups that are filled with innovation and a hunger and passion to create amazing technology get hurt by larger companies that have monopolized industries with deep pockets that stifle the true intention of innovation.
Q. Favorite book article you recommend? I love the book The Four Agreements.
Q: Tomorrow is World IP Day - Describe the importance of innovation and intellectual property rights in the US? As an inventor with over 50 patents, I am incredibly passionate about innovation and intellectual property rights. America is the birthplace of inventors with its unique tradition of protecting individual ingenuity to spur new technologies and new industries that allow this country to be the cradle of innovation. The American patent system has historically fostered and protected American inventors and innovation. We have all heard stories of the theft of American intellectual property from countries such as China. What is less known is the assault on innovation and the “theft” of intellectual property that is happening within our shores by some of the largest American companies. American innovation needs to be rewarded, not stolen by IP bullies. Especially here at home.
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? One of the most important pieces of advice I would have given myself in the beginning of my career is that you don’t have to do it by yourself. It is important to collaborate with others and there is power in a community of people. Teamwork makes the DREAM work!
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? One of the most importance virtues in an employee is one that prioritizes others as much as they prioritize themselves.
Q. Favorite app? Calm, the meditation app. I really love this app because it has taken an ancient practice and applied technology in a way that works. It is easy to use. Plus, I often use it with my 9-year old son – we meditate together!
Q. Best advice you’ve received? Business is a game of chess not a game of checkers!
Q. Morning routine? I always try to start my morning with a workout (SoulCycle, Kickboxing, or Barrys BootCamp). I find that exercise helps me balance my mindset before I head into meetings for the day.
Q. How do you unwind after work? My first and most important job is being a good husband and father to my son, so when I am done at work, I focus on time with my family -- especially time with my son where there are no screens. We enjoy yoga or meditating together, sometimes we get creative and make our own workouts – recently when my wife was out of town, we turned out house into our version of the American Ninja Warrior! It was amazing to watch my son really get into it, compete and I find that it really strengthens our father/son bond to do these activities together.
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