The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) invites law students and students studying patent law to participate in the 2025 National Patent Application Drafting Competition. The competition introduces students to issues arising in U.S. patent law and develops their patent application drafting, amending, and prosecution skills.
Competition process
Student teams will receive hypothetical invention statements for which they will search the prior art, prepare a specification, draft claims, and present their reasoning for patentability before a panel of judges comprised of patent examiners, practitioners, and high-profile guest judges.
The invention statement will be released to the competing teams after registration closes. The virtual regional rounds will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and include up to 15 teams. The winner from each regional round will be invited to compete in the National Finals held on April 4, 2025, before a panel of senior USPTO officials and other esteemed judges.
This year, teams can expect to draft a patent application for an extra-uterine system to physiologically support a premature fetus in a life-sustaining, fluid environment. The system is designed to control and maintain optimal conditions to satisfy requirements for fetal growth.
Registration process
To begin team registration, the first member to create their profile on the competition site will receive a link to be shared with their remaining team members. Upon receiving your team link, each member will then complete a profile. Once all members of the team have completed their profiles, team registration will be complete.
Looking to join but don't have a coach? Students who are unable to identify a coach should contact the organizing committee who will assist the team in finding a suitable coach. If necessary, the requirement that the coach be affiliated with the team members’ law school will be waived. Email requests as soon as practicable and no later than the registration closing date to NPADC@uspto.gov.
Competition and registration information
All competition information and the registration link can be found at:
2025 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office National Patent Drafting Competition.
Regional hosts
- Detroit: Midwest Regional Outreach Office
- Dallas: Southwest Regional Outreach Office
- San Jose, California: Western Regional Outreach Office
- Denver: Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office
- Alexandria, Virginia: Northeast Regional Outreach Office
Direct any questions regarding the competition process to the organizing committee at NPADC@uspto.gov.