In this episode, Congressman Darrell Issa joins SIIA President Chris Mohr for a candid discussion on the future of innovation, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence. Drawing from his unique background as a U.S. Army veteran, successful entrepreneur, and longtime policymaker, Rep. Issa offers a thoughtful and pragmatic take on the evolving digital and legislative landscape.
Representative Issa is currently serving California’s 48th district and is widely recognized as one of Congress’s leading voices on intellectual property and technology issues. Prior to entering public service, he founded and led Directed Electronics, a major player in the car security space, and holds over 30 patents. His experience straddling invention and legislation provides rare insight into the real-world consequences of IP policy.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
How Issa’s military and entrepreneurial experiences shaped his approach to governance
A firsthand account of the challenges innovators face in protecting IP—and what reforms are needed
His concerns about AI-generated patents and the need for a smarter, tech-enabled patent review process
Ongoing efforts to bring transparency to patent litigation funding and curb bad-faith lawsuits
Where Congress stands on AI copyright, deepfakes, and name/image/likeness protections
Whether you’re a tech leader, policymaker, or innovator, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how lawmakers are trying to future-proof the systems that power innovation.
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