Resources for Small Business Owners Entrepreneurs and Independent
Resources for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Independent Inventors Len Tran United States Patent and Trademark Office
USPTO Offices 1
Office of Innovation Development (OID) Do you have limited resources and are considering filing without the help of an attorney? • Dedicated personnel to assist inventors filing without an attorney/agent (pro se applicants). • Targeted support to connect independent inventors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs with helpful and relevant resources and information. • In-person, 1 -on-1 assistance at USPTO Headquarters. • Patent Virtual Assistance from select Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) • 1. Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward County Main Library 2. Amherst, MA - Science and Engineering Library, University of Massachusetts at Amherst 3. Morgantown, WV - Evansdale Library, West Virginia University 4. Houghton, MI - Van Pelt and Opie Library, Michigan Technological University 5. Rochester, NY - Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County Scam Prevention 2
Office of Innovation Development (OID) con’t • Conducts outreach to provide awareness and education and ensure the U. S. intellectual property system accessible and transparent. • Hours of Operation • Email Addresses: • Toll Free Number • Pro Se Assistance Program Webpage: Monday – Friday 8: 30 AM – 5: 00 PM (EST) innovationdevelopment@uspto. gov 866 -767 -3848 https: //www. uspto. gov/prosepatents 3
IP Awareness Assessment Tool • Measure and increase your knowledge of IP and the IP protections available • https: //ipassessment. uspto. gov/index. html 4
Micro Entity Status • 75% reduction of most patent fees Provisional Application Filing Fee Micro Entity Fee Small Entity Fee $70. 00 $140. 00 $280. 00 Fees noted above are as of October 1, 2018 – Please visit https: //www. uspto. gov/fees to access current USPTO fee schedule • • To qualify, patent applicant must meet criteria For more information please visit: https: //www. uspto. gov/Patent. Microentity 5
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) https: //www. uspto. gov/PTRC 6
Inventors Assistance Center • The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. o Answers general questions regarding patent examining policy and procedure. o Assists with identifying necessary forms and completion. • IAC cannot provide legal advice or legal interpretations How to Contact the IAC • Hours: 8: 30 am-8: 00 pm ET, Monday-Friday, except federal holidays • Toll free: 800 -786 -9199 or Local: 571 -272 -1000 7
Patent Pro Bono Program • Matches financially under-resourced small business and independent inventors with patent practitioners that volunteer their legal services. • Promotes small business growth and development. • Helps ensure that no deserving invention lacks patent protection because of a lack of money to hire a practitioner. • Learn more about the Patent Pro Bono Program, and to access the Patent Pro Bono Informational Videos, please visit their webpage: https: //www. uspto. gov/Patent. Pro. Bono • Email: probono@uspto. gov 8
Law School Clinic Certification Program • Independent law school clinics provide free legal services to qualified inventors. – Law school students provide the services under the supervision of an experienced law school supervising attorney. – Students practicing in patent and trademark law. • Over 50 law schools currently participating • Phone: 571 -272 -4097 • Email: lawschoolinformation@uspto. gov 9
Patents Ombudsman Office • Assists applicants throughout the application process including initial filing, patent examination, and post examination. • Helps applicants get their applications back on track. How to Contact the Patents Ombudsman Office: • Telephone (M-F from 8: 30 am – 8: 00 pm ET) – 855 -559 -8589 (toll free) – 571 -272 -5555 (local) • Website: – https: //www. uspto. gov/ombudsman 10
Trademark Assistance Center • Main Trademark support center for all customers. • TAC can answer your questions on a variety of trademark topics. • TAC cannot give legal advice. • What Every Small Business Should Know Now, Not Later video: https: //www. uspto. gov/Watch/BFSmall. Business Hours of Operation: 8: 30 am-8: 00 pm EST, Monday through Friday Phone: Toll-free: 800 -786 -9199 (option 1) or 571 -272 -9250 (press 0) Email : Trademark. Assistance. Center@uspto. gov 11
Startup Resources Webpage Links to resources that assist startup businesses that face unique intellectual property challenges. – Patent and Trademark information – U. S. map of resources for inventors, entrepreneurs and small business owners – Upcoming USPTO Events • Startup Resources webpage: https: //www. uspto. gov/Startups 12
Thank You! Office of Innovation Development innovationdevelopment@USPTO. GOV 866 -767 -3848
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