California

Patent Pro Bono Program

California inventors are served by the California Inventors Assistance Program, part of the USPTO's nationwide pro bono program that matches inventors who qualify (based on income) with volunteer attorneys and patent professionals that will help you file your patent application. 

Law school clinics

California inventors and entrepreneurs can obtain free legal help for both patent and trademark matters by contacting:

• California Western School of Law: TrademarkClinic@tjsl.edu (trademarks)
• Lincoln Law School of San Jose: ipclinic@lincolnlawsj.edu (patents and trademarks)
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law clinic: PatentClinic@tjsl.edu (patents) TrademarkClinic@tjsl.edu (trademarks)
• University of California Los Angeles clinic: uspto@law.ucla.edu (patents)
• University of California Irvine clinic: IPATintake@law.uci.edu (trademarks)
• University of San Diego clinic: eclinic@sandiego.edu
• University of San Francisco School of Law: lawclinic@usfca.edu (trademarks)

In addition to the law school clinics listed above, there are 19 law school clinics that provide free patent and trademark services to all residents of the United States regardless of location.  

Certain libraries throughout the United States are designated as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), which provide resources and trained staff to help customers use and understand USPTO information and filing systems. California is served by the following PTRCs:

• Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles
• Orbach Science Library, University of California, Riverside, Riverside
• California State Library, Sacramento
• San Diego Public Library, San Diego
• San Jose Public Library, San Jose

Every day the USPTO hosts events across the country geared just for aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs, from trademark basics to patent search workshop. Check our USPTO event calendar and find something near you today.

If you intend to hire an attorney (recommended), the USPTO maintains a roster of active patent attorneys and agents registered with the USPTO. Find an attorney or agent by selecting California from the list of states in the search field.

Inventor clubs and organizations can be a great way to connect with local inventors and entrepreneurs and open more doors to resources and opportunities. Below is a list of organizations in California. If you represent an inventor group or nonprofit and would like to have your organization listed here, please email SiliconValley@uspto.gov.

Los Angeles

Inventors Forum: inventorsforum.org

San Diego

San Diego Inventors Forum: sdinventors.org