Harrity & Harrity Named a 2024 Best Family-Led Law Firm by Virginia Lawyers Weekly

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Harrity & Harrity Named a 2024 Best Family-Led Law Firm by Virginia Lawyers Weekly

We are honored to announce that Harrity & Harrity has been featured as a Best Family-Led Law Firm for 2024 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly! This recognition highlights the profound impact of family-led law firms across the state of Virginia and celebrates their ability to foster continuity, innovation, and community engagement.

Founded by brothers John and Paul Harrity, Harrity & Harrity has grown into a leading intellectual property law firm with a strong focus on patent preparation and prosecution. Over the past 25 years, our firm has built a reputation for excellence by cultivating a collaborative culture that values teamwork, diversity, and efficiency.

What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it celebrates not just the professional achievements of family-led firms, but also their roles as pillars of their communities. At Harrity, this commitment extends far beyond the office walls. Through initiatives like Patent Pathways®, Harrity 4 Charity, the Minority Firm Incubator, and the Harrity for Parity Women’s Patent Workshop, we strive to give back to our communities, expand opportunities for underrepresented groups, and create a lasting, positive impact.

As we continue to innovate and evolve, we are proud to be recognized alongside other distinguished firms that share our values and dedication to service. Thank you to Virginia Lawyers Weekly for this honor, and congratulations to all the other firms recognized this year.

Visit our website to learn more about our story and ongoing initiatives: www.harrityllp.com.

A Second Chance at Life: The Power of CPR and Advocacy for Change

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A Second Chance at Life: The Power of CPR and Advocacy for Change

At 49 years old, John Harrity was living his healthiest life with no signs of heart disease. Then, out of the blue, a Widowmaker heart attack changed everything. What could have been a tragic ending instead became a story of survival—thanks to CPR and quick action by a friend.

In those critical moments, a 911 dispatcher guided John’s friend through performing CPR, sustaining his life until professional help arrived. John’s survival highlights the incredible life-saving power of CPR, yet many are not as fortunate. The availability and accessibility of this knowledge can mean the difference between life and death, regardless of age, gender, or background.

John has since partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness and improve outcomes for others. Together, they aim to close gaps in care, particularly those driven by gender disparities in CPR administration. At the AHA’s recent Scientific Sessions, new research emphasized how 911 dispatchers play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps, ensuring that both men and women receive timely, life-saving intervention.

Hear John’s story below.

 

 

John’s message is clear: education and preparation save lives. By learning CPR and advocating for equitable access to life-saving knowledge, we can create a future where more people have a fighting chance.

Give the Gift of Hope This Holiday Season

This holiday season, you have the opportunity to join the fight for heart health and support life-saving initiatives. Harrity 4 Charity is committed to making a difference. We are matching up to $25,000 in donations made to the American Heart Association through the end of the year.

Your contribution can help fund groundbreaking research, educational programs, and resources that save lives. Every dollar you give will have double the impact, ensuring that more families have the chance to celebrate another holiday together.

Take action today. Donate to the American Heart Association and help us build a healthier, safer future for everyone. Together, we can close gaps, save lives, and create lasting change.

Make Your Donation Here

Let’s make this season one of generosity, hope, and life-saving impact.

 

About Harrity 4 Charity

Harrity 4 Charity represents a partnering of law firm Harrity & Harrity, LLP, with charities that are near and dear to our hearts. Harrity pledges to give five percent of profits to partner charities and all Harrity employees pledge to donate a portion of their paychecks. Harrity & Harrity is a patent preparation and prosecution firm specializing in the electrical and mechanical technology areas and is considered a Go-To Firm for the Patent 300 ™. Our clients have come to trust in our high-quality work, experienced people, industry leading innovation, and outstanding service. For more information, visit harrityllp.com.

Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Innovation

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By Ayana Marshall, PhD

Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Innovation 

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), commonly referred to as self-driving cars, use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate their surroundings and make driving decisions without human intervention. 

Patent Age Distribution: Insights into Innovation Maturity 

The age distribution of patents in the autonomous vehicle sector provides valuable insights into the maturity of innovation within this industry. A histogram of patent data reveals that the majority of patents are concentrated in younger age brackets. The largest group of patents falls within the 2–4-year range, followed by those aged 4–6 years, with portfolio sizes steadily decreasing as patents age.  

Forward and Backward Citations: Innovation Interplay 

An analysis of patent citation dynamics further illustrates the competitive landscape of the autonomous vehicle industry. Forward citations, which indicate how often a patent is referenced by later inventions, and backward citations, reflecting references to prior patents, provide a comprehensive view of companies’ innovative strategies. Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. lead in forward citations while Iflight Technology Co. Ltd. has the highest average backward citations. This balance between advancing future technologies and leveraging prior knowledge demonstrates the interplay of innovation within the sector. 

Insights from Patent Activity 

The data on autonomous vehicle patents highlights a technology field where companies are both influencing future developments and building on prior achievements through the interplay of forward and backward citations. Together, these insights paint a picture of the autonomous vehicle industry, showcasing the ongoing advancements in this field. 

Data Source 

The data is sourced from the Harrity Analytics Patent Pulse™ Report on Autonomous Vehicles.  For more information about the Patent Pulse™ Report visit our website HERE, download a complimentary Patent Pulse Report HERE, or contact Harrity Analytics HERE. 

 

Driving the Future: Exploring Patenting in Autonomous Vehicle Technology

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By Ayana Marshall, PhD

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), or self-driving cars, rely on sensors, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate and operate without human input. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of automation, ranging from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation in all conditions). As this technology evolves, what role do patents play in shaping its future?  

Patent Leaders in Autonomous Vehicle Technology 

The chart highlights the top companies driving innovation in autonomous vehicle technology based on their total patents and pending applications. Toyota Motor Corporation leads followed by Alphabet Inc., through its subsidiary Waymo, also demonstrates a strong presence, closely followed by General Motors and other major players such as Robert Bosch GmbH, Ford Motor Company, and Amazon.com, Inc. Notably, the variety of companies—ranging from traditional automakers like Hyundai and Nissan to prominent technology companies like Intel and Amazon—illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of autonomous vehicle development.  

Trends in Patent Age and Activity Over Time 

Continuing from the previous discussion on patent activities, the bar chart reflects the trend of patent ages in the autonomous vehicles sector from 2014 to 2023. It shows two sets of data: the number of total patents and total pending patent applications per year. The chart indicates a growing stack of pending applications atop the existing patents over the years. The average age of these patents is noted as 4.8 years.  

Insights from Patent Activity 

The data on autonomous vehicle technology patents reveals a dynamic and competitive landscape, showcasing an active environment of innovation. Leading companies have built substantial patent portfolios, reflecting their commitment to advancing the field. Additionally, the interplay of forward and backward citations highlights the sector’s balance between influencing future developments and building on prior innovations. Together, these insights offer a detailed view of the evolving autonomous vehicle industry. 

The data is sourced from the Harrity Analytics Patent Pulse™ Report on Autonomous Vehicles.  For more information about the Patent Pulse™ Report visit our website HERE, download a complimentary Patent Pulse Report HERE, or contact Harrity Analytics HERE. 

 

Harrity 4 Charity Announces 2024 Charitable Contribution Matching Campaigns

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Harrity 4 Charity, the giving-back initiative of Harrity LLP, is excited to announce our 2024 Giving Matches. Now through the end of the year, we will be matching gifts made to our Harrity 4 Charity partners.

Harrity 4 Charity will be matching donations gifted to Inova Children’s Hospital, ZERO—The End of Prostate Cancer, Patent Pathways®, and the American Heart Association for our 2024 matching campaign! Please consider making a donation to have your impact doubled.

Patent Pathways®

Running through 12/31, Harrity 4 Charity is matching donations made to Patent Pathways®! Every donation up to $25,000 will be matched to provide essential trainings that support equal opportunity in the patent field. Click here to donate to Patent Pathways®.

Inova Children’s Hospital

Harrity 4 Charity will double $75,000 of donations made to Inova Children’s Hospital from now until the end of the year. All donations will go directly towards purchasing toys and books during the holidays for Poppy’s Toy Drive — an initiative started by eight-year old cancer survivor, Poppy, who spent 160 days at Inova in 2018. More than that, your gift also provides ongoing support for children undergoing treatment and surgery at Inova Children’s Hospital all year long. Click here to donate to Poppy’s Toy Express and Inova Children’s.

American Heart Association

Harrity 4 Charity will be continuing our support of the American heart association with an end of year matching campaign up to $25,000! Donations made to the American Heart Association, the largest non-profit organization dedicated to fighting heart disease, through the upcoming Lawyers Have Heart event will be doubled through 12/31. Click here to donate and to register for the 2025 LHH 5K, 10K and Fun Walk on May 17th, virtually or in-person. You can also make a donation by simply texting ‘RUNLHH’ to 41444.

ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer

Harrity 4 Charity is proud to support ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer with a one-day 4X match! Stay tuned for the full match amount and date, which will be announced in December. You can join the fight against prostate cancer and support prostate cancer education, testing, patient support, research and advocacy by donating here.

 

About Harrity 4 Charity

Harrity 4 Charity represents a partnering of law firm Harrity & Harrity, LLP, with charities that are near and dear to our hearts. Harrity pledges to give five percent of profits to partner charities and all Harrity employees pledge to donate a portion of their paychecks. Harrity & Harrity is a patent preparation and prosecution firm specializing in the electrical and mechanical technology areas and is considered a Go-To Firm for the Patent 300 ®. Our clients have come to trust in our high-quality work, experienced people, industry leading innovation, and outstanding service. For more information, visit harrityllp.com.