PATENT DROP: Changing of the guard

Dropping into new hands.

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Patent Drop! 

I have some news: Patent Drop has been acquired!

Patent Drop is joining The Daily Upside (@TheDailyUpside), a newsletter-first media company whose core product goes out to 850k readers daily.

So what does this mean? Patent Drop will be positioned to deliver even more value to you all — with more resources, deeper analysis, and (if you can believe it) better writers. I started Patent Drop as a means to delve into how Big Tech companies are thinking about and positioning themselves for the future.

And it’s come so far!

• Tens of thousands of newsletter subscribers, 200,000+ followers on social media

• Best in class engagement rates (50%+ open rates)

• Broken big scoops on FAANG

Most importantly, it’s helped me make a lot of friends — specifically, you, the reader. 

Over the past year, I’ve had a few acquisition offers, but this is the one I’m most excited about. While chatting with Patrick Trousdale (@Pat_Trousdale), the founder of The Daily Upside, I’ve been really impressed by his vision for Patent Drop and the team has really big plans to build on what I started.

I’ll still be around — helping out as an editorial and tech advisor. But taking over writing will be Nat Rubio-Licht (@NatRubio__), an incredible writer and strategic thinker who is joining from one of my favorite tech publications, Protocol (R.I.P.), where they co-wrote its flagship Source Code newsletter. 

Before signing off, I wanted to say you can still find me on Twitter (@thisisneer) and my personal email (neersharma513@gmail.com). Now, a word from Nat, Pat, and The Daily Upside Executive Editor Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcenery). Take it away! 

—Neer Sharma

The Road Ahead

First order of business: Patent Drop has done a fantastic job shining a light on the development, innovation, and inner workings of Big Tech. As part of The Daily Upside, we don’t intend to change that. 

Instead, our plan is to simply go deeper and build on the work that Neer has already done. While patents will remain a core focus of the newsletter, we plan to expand coverage to topics like the fast-evolving worlds of technologies like blockchain and AI, how policy is impacting tech innovation, and conversations with the thought leaders and entrepreneurs building the future. This will take the form of interviews, features, and broader tech coverage and analysis.

To start out, we’ll be publishing Patent Drop twice a week — every Monday and Thursday —  so keep an eye on your inbox on those days! 

And finally: We want to hear from you. As Patent Drop evolves, we want to know what you like, what you don’t like and what you want to see more of. Reach us at Nat@thedailyupside.com with your thoughts! 

Thank you for reading. We’re looking forward to bringing you more. 

—The Daily Upside team

On the Docket

In our next edition, we’ll be exploring patents from Amazon, Microsoft and Zoom. Here’s a sneak preview: 

• Amazon is upping its telehealth tech by helping patients take the perfect photo. What does this mean for its broader healthcare ambitions? 

• Microsoft wants to help you sign on the dotted line. It may be challenging Docusign at its own game. 

• Zoom (and Microsoft!) are both trying to solve the most awkward part of video conferences: making eye contact. 

Make sure to check your inbox on Thursday, 1/19 for more.  

Have any comments, tips or suggestions? Drop us a line! Email Nat at nat@thedailyupside.com or shoot us a DM on Twitter @patentdrop.