Taken from the briefing America Invents Act Pro Bono Program for Inventors and Small Businesses recorded January, 2013.
The America Invents Act (AIA) requires that the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) work with local intellectual property (IP) organizations across the country in establishing pro bono patent application services for inventors and small businesses. Since the passage of this bill, four pro bono programs have begun offering services. At least 13 additional programs are in the planning stages. As these programs expand, more inventors and small businesses who qualify will potentially be able to receive pro bono assistance from qualified patent attorneys in filing patent applications. The overarching goal is to make the patent system affordable to those who do not have the financial resources to hire an attorney and to also ensure that no meritorious invention goes lacking for protection due to financial burden.
It is the intention of the program that patents should be issued to individuals and small businesses that can make contributions to society and have the potential to create jobs. This goal will only be obtained through the involvement of organizations that assist in the creation or growth of new businesses. To this end, each pro bono program is run through a local or state IP law association and utilizes a non-profit organization as the administrative body.
The USPTO is working with different regions across the country by educating both IP law associations and non-profits on how these pro bono programs work and how to successfully implement them in new regions. Additional resources, such as small business incubators, are also welcome for inclusion in these regional programs. Such expanded opportunities will help inventors and small businesses build off their successful acquisition of patent protection and get started in the marketplace.
John J. Calvert of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Jay A. Erstling of William Mitchell College of Law and former director of the Office of the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and James H. Patterson, principal at Patterson Thuente Christensen Pedersen, P.A. in Minneapolis will discuss the formation, implementation and future plans for the AIA pro bono program.
Lecture Topics [Total Time: 01:04:39]
- A brief history of the start of the pro bono pilot program
- An overview of the AIA pro bono program
- What qualifications are looked at for entry into the program
- The National Clearinghouse and how does it connect to the regional pro bono programs
- What regional programs are in the works
- How to find additional information
- What plans are in the work for future expansion
Presentation Material
- America Invents Act Pro Bono Program for Inventors and Small Businesses
John J. Calvert, James H. Patterson, Jay A. Erstling
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