November 2022
Read Economic Note 102
Read the working paper

In this Economic Note, we examine the causal impacts from the first randomized control trial (RCT) undertaken by the USPTO. The RCT, which focused on patent applicants without legal representation (pro se applicants), aimed to improve examination outcomes. The analysis demonstrates that additional guidance and information provided during patent examination was an effective way to improve patent examination outcomes for pro se applicants, especially for women.

Additional publications

• Economic Note 101: Exports and imports by U.S. IP-intensive industries
• Economic Note 103: Employment in IP-intensive industries during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
• Other economic research publications