IP Patch Guides

In order to obtain your IP Patch, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Complete the Supplemental activity for your level.

Step 2: Complete the IP Patch Worksheet (Requires Adobe Reader®)

Step 3:Turn in the worksheet to your troop leader for approval.

In the process of obtaining the IP Patch the Girl Scouts will:

1. Learn the age appropriate definition of intellectual property and the tools used to protect IP, that is , patents, trademarks, copyrights
2. Be able to identify examples of things (matter) protected by the various forms of IP protection, patents, trademarks, copyrights
3. Demonstrate knowledge of what a patent is by identifying the basic parts of a patent and using patents as a basis for recreating an invention from an existing expired patent.*One example frequently used is the recreation of Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low's patent for a recyclable trash can liner, U.S. Patent No. 1124925.
4. Explore the concept of innovation by modifying, adapting, or improving an existing invention or by developing a new invention of their own
Draft a "mock" patent application to include some of the basic information found in a patent application
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the role and function of a trademark by creating their own trademarks
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the types of matter that can be protected by copyright, and develop their own "original work of authorship."

Girls at some levels of the patch are expected to develop the skills to conduct very rudimentary searches for patents and trademarks utilizing the USPTO databases and publicly available resource and research tools. Real world examples of girls and women who have received U.S. patents and registered Trademarks are provided as examples to demonstrate the potential of girls to invent, create, and go into business as well as the accessibility and value of IP protection. Girls are also encouraged to explore careers in intellectual property and STEM.