Eric Poland

@patentrobot.bsky.social

Husband, Dad, & Patent Attorney. Whether I'm building LEGO prototypes with my kids or drafting claims, I’m driven to figure out how things work. When I'm not working on patents or playing with my kids, I'm usually deep in a book or exploring the outdoors.

🧻 Think toilet paper is simple? Think again. Most people don’t think about R&D when reaching for a roll, but behind everyday essentials like Cottonelle® Ultra Clean, there’s a massive amount of material science, mechanical engineering, and IP at play. (1/5)

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In 1968, a 3M chemical accident created a glue that barely stuck to anything. Today, it’s a multi-billion-dollar product: the Post-it® Note. It took some luck turning a "weak" adhesive into an icon but the business was also helped by IP. Here is how they did it 👇

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Free agent WR Alec Pierce has agreed to terms to remain in Indianapolis on a historic 4-year $114M deal that will make him the highest-paid free agent receiver in NFL History.

I was serving my family a quick dinner, but the patent attorney in me couldn't ignore the "Virtual Patent Marking" on my disposable plates. However, the link led to a 404 Error, which could cost a company millions in uncollectible damages. Check your links, folks. #Patents #Law #Tech #IP

A close-up photograph of a stack of Dixie Ultra paper plates in plastic shrink-wrap. The focus is on the fine print which reads "May be patented, see www.gp.com/patents" and the Georgia-Pacific logo. Other logos for TÜV Austria Home Compostable and BPI are also visible on the white paperboard.A web browser screenshot showing the Georgia-Pacific corporate website. The page is mostly empty with large, bold black text that reads "Page Not Found." The URL in the address bar shows the attempted link to the patents page, confirming the 404 error.

I went to Zootopia 2 for the kids, but stayed for the patent law. Even in an animal utopia, a robust IP system is alive and well. A specific patent & its tech are actually central to the movie's mystery. What’s your favorite pop culture reference to patent law? 🎬📝 #Patents

A whimsical US Patent drawing on aged parchment showing a giant hamster-wheel power plant in the middle of a animal styled city. A fox in a uniform is running inside the wheel. The patent header lists Judy H. Hopps as the inventor and Nick P. Wilde as the attorney, with various humorous technical callouts.

Found a patent marking on my kids' GameChanger app—a great reminder that even low-tech youth sports are powered by deep IP. US Pat. 8,731,458 & 9,393,485 cover mobile tracking and the logic that auto-generates game recaps. Impressive engineering! Do your everyday apps have IP? #SportsTech #Patents

Image 1 (App Screenshot): A screenshot from the GameChanger app showing it is a member of the DICK'S Sporting Goods family and listing US Patent No. 8,731,458.Image 2 (Patent Drawing): A formal patent illustration from US Patent 8,731,458 showing a mobile device interface with a baseball diamond, player stats, and scorekeeping tools.

My kids got a ton of LEGOs for Christmas and they’re everywhere, especially underfoot! 🦶🧱 My wife showed me a video of new LEGO tech and I found IP for a mesh network where bricks use magnetic fields to "see" each other. I'm just hoping they use it for a self-evacuating brick that dodges my feet.

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There are over 50 patents covering the diaper that the adorable model—my daughter Rose—is wearing in this picture! In a competitive market like diapers, even a small adjustment—such as a millimeter difference—can result in a valuable patent.

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