Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office
The Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office serves Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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The Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office is located in Bozeman, Montana in collaboration with the Montana State University. We are an extension of USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, bringing services and resources to our region.
Our goal is to promote innovation and stimulate the economy by connecting entrepreneurs to government resources, supporting students and teachers through our STEM education programs, gathering feedback from regional stakeholders, and educating the public about intellectual property. We also collaborate with the Office of Public Engagement to provide additional support and resources to customers in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Browse the content below to learn more about what the Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office can do for you.
Schedule a one-on-one consultation
NOTE: The Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office is unable to accept patent or trademark applications, correspondence related to prosecution, or fees. Please consider using our Patent Center for online filing. More information is available on our website: filing patent applications or filing trademark applications.
Patent one-on-one assistance
The Pro Se Assistance Center is available to assist applicants who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent (also known as "pro se" applicants) with patent-related questions and with filing their patent applications. One-on-one video conference (WebEx) or telephone appointments are also available. For inquiries, please contact the Pro Se Assistance Center. One-on-one appointments may be scheduled online or by contacting the Pro Se Assistance Center.
Toll-free: 866-767-3848 or email proseassistancecenter@uspto.gov
Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET (except federal holidays)
Trademark one-on-one assistance
The Trademark Assistance Center (TAC) is the main support center for trademark customers, from first-time filers to legal professionals and experienced trademark applicants. You can call or email TAC if you have questions about the trademark registration process.
TAC specialists can also assist you via video chat on Microsoft Teams. Call or email to make an appointment.
Toll-free: 800-786-9199 or email TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (except federal holidays)
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 who are available to answer questions and to help you make filing a patent application simple and efficient.
Visit the Inventors Assistance Center webpage for contact information and hours of operation.
Toll-free: 800-PTO-9199 (800-786-9199)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (except federal holidays)
Search patents or trademarks
Search patentsSearch trademarks
The USPTO collections can also be searched online. Learn how to use Patent Public Search to search for patents and Trademark Search system to search for trademarks.
Are you new to patent or trademark searching? We encourage you to visit a Patent and Trademark Resource Center near you. Librarians are trained by the USPTO to provide an introduction to the patent and trademark application process.
Meet the leadership team
As the Acting Community Engagement Office Director of the Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office, Sean Wilkerson carries out the strategic outreach direction of the USPTO's Office of Public Engagement, ensuring the USPTO's initiatives and programs are tailored to the region's unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders.
