Programs
The Programs area features information about Congressionally-mandated programs for the USPTO to establish under the AIA.
Pro Bono
The AIA directs the USPTO to work with intellectual property law associations across the country to establish pro bono programs for financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses. A pilot program in Minnesota was launched in June of 2010 to provide legal services to help such individuals and businesses obtain solid patent protection. Before receiving assistance, each participant completes a training program on intellectual property and conducts a patent search to determine if their idea is new. The USPTO is building off this success and is participating in a task force to expand the program in other cities.
Diversity of Applicants
The AIA requires the USPTO to establish methods for studying patent applicant diversity, including applicants who are women, minorities, and veterans. The Office of the Chief Economist is devising methods to collect this information while ensuring that it does not result in preferential treatment for any groups or individuals. The methods of study must be established within 6 months from the date of enactment (i.e., by March 16, 2012).
- Diversity of Applicant Methodology (March 16, 2012)
Patent Ombudsman for Small Businesses
The AIA requires the USPTO to maintain a Patent Ombudsman Program providing patent filing support and services to small businesses and independent inventors. The USPTO has many existing programs to help small businesses and independent inventors, including the Inventors Assistance Center and an Ombudsman Program launched in April 2010 for all applicants. The Ombudsman Program assists applicants and their representatives with concerns about their patent applications and issues that arise during prosecution. The USPTO will continue working to provide small businesses and independent inventors with the specialized help they need to address their unique concerns.
Satellite Offices
Congress requires the USPTO to establish three satellite offices within three years of the date of enactment (i.e., by September 16, 2014). The purposes of these satellite offices are to increase outreach activities, enhance employee retention, improve recruiting, decrease the application backlog, and improve examination quality. In choosing office locations, the USPTO must consider creating geographic diversity, recruiting a technically skilled workforce at low cost, and the economic impact on the region. The USPTO plans to open the first satellite office in Detroit, Michigan as the ‘‘Elijah J. McCoy United States Patent and Trademark Office.” Other locations will be selected using the process described in the AIA.
