USPTO April Monthly Review

Published on: 05/03/2021 10:18 AM

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monthly review
united states patent and trademark office

A look back at the highlights of April 2021

Journeys of Innovation

Jim Henson and Jane Nebel with the cast of their television show, “Sam and Friends.”

An artist, puppeteer, and innovator, Jim Henson created the Muppets and forever changed the entertainment business. 

Reframing entertainment

Jim Henson made his first puppet while still in high school—and landed a spot on television because of it. Over the next 36 years, he used his knack for puppeteering, along with his strong ability to collaborate and unique sense of humor, to create a cast of unforgettable characters, leaving a legacy that is still entertaining audiences today.

Read the full story

Blogs

The Trademark Modernization Act: What brand owners need to know stock image art

Our trademark ecosystem will benefit greatly from these important new provisions which will remove clutter and provide greater access to new marks, thus benefiting businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the United States.

The Trademark Modernization Act: What brand owners need to know

Sustaining and promoting a healthy, vibrant trademark system is at the core of what we strive to do at the USPTO. That is why we welcomed the passage and signing of the Trademark Modernization Act (TMA) this past December. The TMA includes key provisions that will give the USPTO and trademark owners additional tools to better protect and strengthen the integrity of the federal trademark register.

By David Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks at the USPTO | Continue reading


USPTO concludes successful Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium

The Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium (WES), an annual event launched in 2011, has proven to be one of the USPTO’s most popular programs to date. Over 6,000 attendees tuned in this year to hear lessons learned, helpful tips, and resources for women entrepreneurs to protect the various forms of intellectual property which might be present in their businesses—namely patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. 

A blog about the USPTO from the U.S. Department of Commerce | Continue reading

News and updates

Patents for Humanity COVID category quote from Secretary Raimondo

The Patents for Humanity Award is the USPTO’s top honor for patent applicants whose game-changing innovations address long-standing development challenges. This year, we’ve added a special COVID-19 category.

USPTO announces special Patents for Humanity COVID-19 category

WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced that it will be launching a special category of its Patents for Humanity Program for inventions that address the COVID-19 pandemic. This new award category will provide business incentives for patent applicants, holders, and licensees whose inventions track, prevent, diagnose, or treat COVID-19. 

Read the press release


A Proclamation on World Intellectual Property Day, 2021

On April 23, President Joseph R. Biden issued a proclamation for World IP Day:

"This year, on World Intellectual Property Day, we celebrate the innovators and creators who enrich our lives and create the products, services, companies, and industries of tomorrow. We especially recognize the power of intellectual property protection in allowing our small businesses to compete, thrive, and play their important role as the heart and soul of our communities and the engines of our economic progress."

Read the news brief


COVID fast-track appeals pilot program

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) will soon accept petitions for expedited resolution of ex parte appeals for COVID-related inventions. There is no cost for appeals related to COVID-19 in this pilot program, which starts on April 15, 2021.

Read the news brief


USPTO announces winners of the 2021 National Patent Drafting Competition

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), with the support of several collegiate law school programs, hosted five virtual regional rounds of the competition on March 26. Five regional finalists from 51 teams moved on to compete virtually in the national competition on April 9. Congratulations to all of the student teams who qualified for the national competition; their coaches deserve appreciation for their time and effort.

Read the news brief


Find all news and updates at https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates

Popular posts

Patent art and trademark registration for the OSCARs statue

And the OSCAR® goes to…! If you are tuned into The Academy Awards, be on the lookout for some star-studded IP, including the registered trademark for the Award of Merit statuette itself.

Instagram

On Earth Day 2021, the USPTO Eastern Regional Outreach Office held an event to teach attendees how new wine production techniques can help create a greener future.

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USPTO Eastern Regional Office Instagram post for Earth Day 2021 Wine and IP event
Twitter

“I find inspiration and hope in the inventions yet to come, and the creative talents of all Americans. And it is up to us to help unleash the potential of all that creativity.”

-Secretary Raimondo, as she concludes World IP Day 2021

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World IP Day 2021 social media graphic
Facebook

The Innovation Chat webinar series aims to further the discussion on how to increase opportunities for all Americans to participate in innovation. Watch the April 1 chat.

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National Council for Expanding American innovation chat graphic
LinkedIn

This week, USPTO leaders Coke Stewart and Valencia Martin-Wallace joined their international counterparts for the IP5 Deputy Heads meeting.

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LinkedIn IP5 meeting screen grab