South Dakota

Patent Pro Bono Program

South Dakota inventors are served by LegalCORPS Inventor 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

South Dakota inventors and entrepreneurs can obtain free legal help for patent and trademark matters by contacting:

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law at jean.backes@mitchellhamline.edu

In addition to the law school clinic 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 Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), which provide resources and trained staff to help customers use and understand USPTO information and filing systems. South Dakota is served by the following PTRC:

Devereaux Library, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Rapid City

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.

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 are a list of organizations in South Dakota. If you represent an inventor group or nonprofit and would like to have your organization listed here, please email RockyMountain@uspto.gov.

Attorneys General
1302 East Highway 14 Suite 1
Pierre, SD 57501.8501
state.sd.us/attorney