Legal assistance and resources

Find resources and programs for inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses seeking assistance with legal matters, including application filing, locating a registered patent or trademark practitioner, and avoiding scams.

Patent Pro Bono Program for independent inventors and small businesses

The program provides free legal assistance to under-resourced inventors interested in securing patent protection for their inventions.

Filing a patent application on your own

Provides outreach and education for independent inventors who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent.

Scam Prevention

Updated Complaint form

Law School Clinic Certification Program

Free legal help provided by law students, who gain experience drafting and filing patents and trademark applications for clients of the law school clinic.

Finding a patent practitioner

Learn how to find registered patent agents and attorneys who are eligible to practice before the USPTO in patent matters.

Finding a trademark practitioner

Learn how to find attorneys who practice trademark law.

IP Attaché Program

The United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) IP Attaché Program works to improve intellectual property systems internationally for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders.

News & Updates

November 16, 2022USPTO and the Department of Commerce launch Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) initiative to empower more women founders across America

WASHINGTON—Today, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Department of Commerce launched Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE), a community-focused, collaborative, and creative initiative to inspire women and tap their potential to meaningfully increase equity, job creation, and...

June 29, 2022Modern, user-friendly Patent Center to fully replace legacy Public PAIR system this summer

WASHINGTON—Beginning August 1, 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Center system—available to the public since 2017—will fully replace the legacy Public Patent Application Information Retrieval (Public PAIR) tool for the electronic filing and management of patent applications...

October 27, 2021U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo to Chair Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2)

WASHINGTON — In a letter to Council members this week, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced her new role as Chair of the re-branded Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2). With representatives from industry, academia, non-profit, and government, CI2 will assist the United...

February 13, 2019Henry “Jamie” Holcombe appointed chief information officer

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of Henry “Jamie” Holcombe as the agency’s Chief Information Officer. Holcombe’s first full day in his new role will be Monday, February 25, 2019. Holcombe joins the USPTO after more than 20 years of...

February 7, 2019United States moves up in international rankings for patent protection

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) ranked the United States in second place for Patents, Related Rights, and Limitations in its 2019 International IP Index, reflecting a significant improvement in patent protection policy. In addition, this year...

January 30, 2019U.S. ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) welcomed the recent ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, which allows limited copyright exceptions for the reproduction of published works in formats accessible to the blind and visually impaired. President Donald J. Trump signed...

January 16, 2019Nominations sought for National Medal of Technology and Innovation

WASHINGTON - The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations for the 2019 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The medal is the country's highest award for technological achievement and is presented by the president of the United States. The medal is awarded to...

January 10, 2019Thomas Krause appointed Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property and Solicitor

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of Thomas W. Krause as the new Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor of the USPTO. Krause, who has served as the agency’s Deputy Solicitor since 2014, begins his new role...

January 4, 2019U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announces revised guidance for determining subject matter eligibility

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced revised guidance for subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101. The USPTO also announced guidance on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112 to computer-implemented inventions. The documents take effect Monday...

November 29, 2018U.S. Patent and Trademark Office releases 2018-2022 Strategic Plan

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today published its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan sets out the USPTO’s mission-focused strategic goals: to optimize patent quality and timeliness; to optimize trademark quality and timeliness; and, to provide domestic...

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