More than 30 years ago when I started my career as a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), there was a common phrase that went something like this: “Patents are not valid until they are litigated.”

Happy May Day! Also known as Labor Day in some countries, May 1 marks the Chicago Haymarket protests that took place on that date in 1886, when 35,000 workers walked away from their jobs and demanded standardized eight-hour work days.

Deco ’16, which was held April 16-18, featured a government panel assembled by Walt Sanders, SGCDpro Washington liaison. The panel kicked off the annual Ask the Experts session on Sunday, April 17.

As frequent readers of this column know, the glass container manufacturing industry has a consistent and strong demand for recycled glass at its 45 glass plants across the U.S. In 2015, glass manufacturers purchased 2.4 million tons of recycled glass for remelting into new containers.

Imagine, if you will, a hall filled with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing a range of products and services all along the supply chain, a two-track conference program that provides insights on ceramic manufacturing as well as applications, and networking opportunities that enable you to make connections that will help you and your company succeed. Sounds like a dream, right?

We’ve been focusing so much on composites for this issue that I’m seeing them everywhere! For example, it occurs to me that suppliers and manufacturers in the ceramic industry join together as a team in order to produce the high-quality, next-generation composites required by industries such as aerospace, automotive, and defense.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and its member companies are engaged in collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to improve glass recycling in 2016.

The annual convention of the Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorated Products (SGCDpro) kicks off April 16 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore. The conference encompasses three days of educational seminars, networking, and product introductions. SGCDpro Vice President David Stanton of Fusion Ceramics will serve as program chair.

Happy Valentine's Day! In the best romantic relationships, two often dissimilar partners join together to create a new, singular unit. Likewise, a finished ceramic tile generally incorporates a fired ceramic body and a glaze to create a product of beauty and utility. Unfortunately, not all relationships are a match made in heaven.