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Free Help For Inventors From The USPTO

by | May 31, 2023 | 0 comments

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the government agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks, two forms of intellectual property. The majority of U.S. patents are issued to large corporations and universities, not independent inventors. 

At inventRight, we find it remarkable the USPTO does so much to encourage individuals and small businesses to pursue their creativity. The current USPTO Director, Kathi Vidal, makes it a priority to engage directly and frequently with independent inventors. She regularly asks for feedback and for the public to weigh in on how to improve outcomes at the USPTO. 

Today, she is answering the questions of independent inventors on topics ranging from user friendliness of UPSTO.gov to the use of AI in examining patents to proposals for changes to PTAB during the monthly meeting of the largest group for inventors online. (Director Vidal attended her first Inventors Groups of America virtual meeting in the summer of 2022.) 

Free Help For Inventors From The USPTO Post LinkedIn
Free Help For Inventors From The USPTO Director Vidal Madeleine Key IGA

How does this help inventors?

Dialogue is essential to better understanding intellectual property today. It’s no wonder the patent system has become complex. Intellectual property exists at the intersection of business, law, finance, science, art, and history. It means different things to different people. There are ongoing challenges enforcing the system that already exists. With new technologies, like generative AI, there are new questions about ownership, ideas, creativity, and value. 

For entrepreneurs, continuing to learn about intellectual property and how to use it to advance your business interests is essential. 

Are you aware of USPTO resources and help for inventors? Have you taken advantage of them? They include learning opportunities, including courses and events, ways to get free legal help with your intellectual property, and opportunities to get your questions answered. 

USPTO Help For Inventors

Do you know the difference between patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets? 

The USPTO’s IP Identifier tool helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of your intellectual property. 

Currently in the patenting process or considering it?

Learn more about the patenting process through one of the USPTO’s patent application training programs.

Filing your first non-provisional patent application?

If you are a first-time filer (and even if you already filed), you can take advantage of the USPTO’s First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program, which helps individuals or small businesses qualifying as a “micro entity“ who are first-time filers for patent rights by providing expedited initial feedback from the agency on their application, also known as a “first office action.” Find out more here.  

The USPTO’s other no-fee expedited examination programs include inventions supporting COVID, the cancer moonshot, and climate change.

Want to get your patent issued sooner? Find the USPTO’s for-fee expedited program here.   

Need legal assistance and are under-resourced? You may be able to get free help with your intellectual property.

Check out the USPTO’s patent pro bono programs and law school clinics.

Trademark Help From The USPTO

New to trademarks or simply want a refresher? 

Sign up for the USPTO’s eight-week virtual Trademark Basics Boot Camp. You’ll learn trademark fundamentals and specifics of the federal trademark registration process. This course is offered regularly throughout the year. 

Have general questions about the federal trademark registration process? 

Contact the USPTO’s Trademark Assistance Center. Our customer service representatives can direct you to free resources like our Trademark Basis Registration Toolkit

If your questions about trademarks are more advanced and you’re concerned about the cost of hiring an experienced trademark attorney, free and reduced-price help is available. 

Apply to become a client at one of the USPTO’s law school clinics. You can also research pro bono resources available through the American Bar Association and the International Trademark Association.

Patent And Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs)

These centers, which are available in libraries across the United States, offer guidance and services to emerging inventors. To access a PTRC or bring one to your community, please visit this link.

Inventor Hour With The Patent Trial And Appeal Board (PTAB) 

Each month, members of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the USPTO dedicate an hour of programming on the last Thursday of the month at noon Eastern to educate the public about procedures at the PTAB, including ex parte appeals and America Invents Act (AIA) trials, as well as provide useful information for practicing before the Board, including oral hearing protocols, statistics, and more.

Guest experts include inventors, attorneys, USPTO employees, and other experts related to intellectual property protection. inventRight cofounder Stephen Key was honored to be a guest in 2022. 

To access recordings of past episodes of Inventor Hour, visit this link

Attend USPTO Events

The USPTO hosts a large volume of educational events online, including events specifically for independent inventors. Recently, in partnership with Larry Udell, the founder of the Silicon Valley branch of the Licensing Executives Society, it hosted the Senior Patent Counsel on Johnson & Johnson’s Digital Health team, the Head of Patents at Google, the Head of Intellectual Property Licensing and Commercialization at ASM International, and a Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Oracle. The panel discussed best practices for approaching large companies with an idea. 

Learn about future USPTO events here.

Get Live Help From The USPTO

Inventors Assistance Center

The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent assistance and information to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners and primary examiners to answer questions and to help you make filing a patent application simple and efficient. 

The IAC is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am-8:00pm Eastern, except federal holidays.

The toll-free number is: 800-786-9199.

Find an extensive FAQ on this page.

Stay In Touch With The USPTO

Subscribe to USPTO newsletters and email alerts here

Author

  • Madeleine Key

    Madeleine Key has been writing about intellectual property, invention commercialization and the innovation ecosystem since 2008. Currently, she is a contributor to Forbes and IPWatchdog. She has exten...