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Josh Sloat

Executive Technology Advisor

Aurora Consulting

Josh Sloat serves as an Executive Technology Advisor with Aurora Consulting and provides consultation for patents in the software, information technology and telecommunications spaces. With over 15 years of engineering experience in mobile, web and desktop software and 20 years in the broader space of information technology, Josh brings a tremendous breadth of knowledge and insight to strategy development.

As CTO and head of product, Josh ran and transformed the entire product and tech arm of Axios. As the Senior Director of Mobile for Axios, Josh led new efforts in developing native reading and contributing tools for iOS and Android devices. Formerly, as a principal engineer with Articulate Global, Josh architected and lead the development of highly immersive, e-learning authoring tools for iOS and macOS. Previously, as a lead engineer with Thomson Reuters, Josh was responsible for the design and development of several award-winning mobile apps and played a significant role in the development of many industry-standard finance, tax and accounting-based Windows desktop applications. As a web developer with Version One and JCS Solutions, Josh helped to create, host and maintain several high-profile e-commerce sites. Prior to his focus on software, Josh held several positions with broadcast, utility and telecommunications companies that allowed him to dive deeply into network design and infrastructure, structured cabling and information technology operations.

Recent Articles by Josh Sloat

Patently Strategic Podcast: James Howard and the Black Inventors Hall of Fame

What would you have been without a role model? What would you have done had you not known your career path was even an option? The answers to these career and life-defining questions often come down to exposure, access, and whether or not we could picture ourselves doing something in the first place. I doubt there are many readers on here who are not regularly awe-inspired by the incredible work of the inventors we’re fortunate to know and serve. There are few nobler or more important professions. While we already know this and possibly take that knowledge for granted, our future depends on as many kids as possible – from as many backgrounds as possible – being inspired by, and personally identifying with, this world-shaping path. Our special guest in this month’s episode, James Howard, is taking on that challenge.

Patently Strategic Podcast: Claim Construction

Claim construction is a process in which courts attempt to interpret the meaning and scope of the claims of a patent. It’s effectively reconstructing what an inventor and their practitioner meant back when they drafted the patent application. While your patent might not be tested in a court for many years, understanding the sometimes-surprising language specifics and context traps while drafting now can help set you up for success later when defending your patent or attempting to stop an infringer. The words you choose now and the support you provide when drafting are your opportunity to help de-risk the process of courts and juries later interpreting what you meant. And oftentimes, claim construction can be the key factor in resolving disputes even before litigation, with the facts that come out of claim construction deciding the monetary value and payouts in settlements.