Learn more about resources and assistance available from the USPTO, partners, and other federal agencies.
Invention-Con is the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) annual conference for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners whose success depends on guarding their creative work. This program is presented by the USPTO's Office of Public Engagement, Innovation Outreach Division. View past Invention-Con recordings by accessing individual events on the Invention-Con event series page.
Federal agency assistance and resources
Minority Business Development Agency
About
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned business through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. We work throughout the nation to link minority-owned businesses with the capital, contracts, and markets they need to grow. We advocate and promote minority-owned business with elected officials, policy makers, and business leaders. Our programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally, nationally, and internationally.
For more information, contact:
202-482-2332
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technology Partnerships Office
About
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Technology Partnerships Office (TPO) is a research support office that drives innovation across NOAA. Through its programs, TPO awards grants to small businesses to support technological innovation, manages NOAA’s intellectual property portfolio, helps transfer NOAA technology to the commercial market, and facilitates NOAA’s public-private research partnerships. As NOAA’s primary interface with private-sector innovation, TPO supports the NOAA mission, stimulates innovation, and strengthens the U.S. economy.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency that enriches life through science. NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, ocean, and coasts, share actionable information with others, and conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring, to fisheries management, coastal restoration, and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and provide citizens, emergency managers, and other decision makers with the reliable information they need, when they need it.
Additional links and materials
- NOAA seed funding opportunities for small businesses
- NOAA Technology Marketplace
- NOAA Partnership Portal
For more information, contact:
NOAA TPO program email: NOAA.TPO@noaa.gov
NOAA TPO program on Twitter
NOAA TPO program on LinkedIn
National Science Foundation
About
Innovation programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) advance ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace to strengthen America’s economy, health, and security. The NSF has several programs to translate fundamental research into market solutions, and supports and trains researchers with promising technologies, as well as funding high-tech startups. Learn about the NSF’s central role in accelerating the growth of the national ecosystem and hear about specific funding opportunities.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
United States Census Bureau
About
The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. Our primary dissemination platform, data.census.gov, allows you to access these data from our most popular surveys and programs free of charge. With these demographic and business data, you can learn more about potential customers, potential workforce, and other businesses.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
census.data@census.gov
800-923-8282
U.S. Copyright Office
About
The U.S. Copyright Office registers copyright claims, records information about copyright ownership, provides information to the public, and assists Congress and other parts of the government on a wide range of copyright issues, both simple and complex. The U.S. Copyright Office is part of the Library of Congress.
Informational videos
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
Alicia Morris
amro@copyright.gov
Public Information and Education Office
U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
About
At the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we work together to make a positive impact on the U.S. economy, our capital markets, and people's lives. Our regulatory governance provides companies and entrepreneurs with a variety of avenues to access the U.S. economy's capital markets to help them create jobs, develop life-changing innovations and technology, and provide financial opportunities for those who invest in them.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
Email: smallbusiness@sec.gov
Phone: 202-551-5407
U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Investment and Innovation: America's Seed Fund
About
The U.S. Small Business Administration serves as the coordinating agency for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs—also known as America’s Seed Fund. SBA also manages the related Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program and Growth Accelerator Competition.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
National Inventors Hall of Fame
About
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. We inspire emerging creators and entrepreneurs through our education programs and honor the history of innovation through our museum and Hall of Fame inductees.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
Email: museum@invent.org
Phone: 571-272-0095
Free and reduced cost legal services: Patent Pro Bono Program
About
The Patent Pro Bono Program endeavors to match financially underresourced independent inventors and small businesses with a patent practitioner who provides patent preparation, filing, and prosecution services, without charge for their legal services. The program consists of 21 independent not-for-profit regional programs which endeavor to match qualified applicants with volunteer patent practitioners. Applicants may apply for assistance through the program in their region. A list of regional programs can be found on our Patent Pro Bono Program webpage. Regional programs may charge a fee for the screening and matching service, and applicants are responsible for all USPTO filing fees.
Inventor uses the USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono Program to advance accessibility technology
Inventor uses the USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono Program to advance accessibility technology
Informational videos
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
571-272-4097
ProBono@uspto.gov
Global Intellectual Property Academy
About
The Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA), under the Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA), provides international capacity-building intellectual property (IP) training on a variety of topics for the benefit of U.S stakeholders. Classes are conducted around the world for U.S. and international audiences in multiple languages, with many at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, or broadcast remotely. Instructors are USPTO subject matter experts in all areas of IP protection and enforcement, IP attachés, and experts from around the U.S. government.
The Global Intellectual Property Academy – An Overview
The Global Intellectual Property Academy – An Overview
Informational videos
For more information, contact:
Susan Allen, Susan.Allen@uspto.gov
Velicia Dunn, Velicia.Dunn@uspto.gov
Inventors Assistance Center
About
The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent assistance and information to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners and primary examiners who are available to answer questions and help make filing a patent applications simple and efficient.
For more information, contact:
800-786-9199
571-272-1000
TDD/TTY customers can dial 800-877-8339 for customer assistance
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, except federal holidays
IP Attaché Program
About
The Intellectual Property (IP) Attaché Program is within the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA). IP attachés advocate to improve IP policies, laws, and regulations abroad for the benefit of U.S. stakeholders. They also provide information to help U.S. stakeholders entering foreign markets or conducting business abroad, such as how to navigate foreign laws and regulations, and how foreign courts and governments work.
IP Attaché Program
IP Attaché Program
Informational videos
- USPTO IP Attaché Program Works to Improve IP Systems Internationally
- USPTO IP Attachés: Unified to Serve
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
Dominic Keating, Director, IP Attaché Program
Dominic.Keating@uspto.gov
571-272-1479
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
About
The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) is a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. It contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application.
Additional links/materials
For more information, contact:
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) editorial staff: MPEPFeedback@uspto.gov
Office of International Patent Cooperation
About
The Office of International Patent Cooperation (OIPC) leads efforts to assist U.S. inventors and businesses in protecting their patent rights worldwide and supports the global innovation community. OIPC provides information on several of the USPTO international programs and initiatives.
For example, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international agreement that makes it possible for inventors to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in multiple countries by filing a single “international” patent application. The Global Dossier is a user-friendly online interface that makes it easier for patent stakeholders to quickly and easily view, monitor, and manage IP protection around the world by providing access to the dossiers of related applications filed in multiple offices.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
OIPC@uspto.gov
571-272-2IPC or 571-272-2472
Patents Application Assistance Unit
About
The Application Assistance Unit (AAU), within the Office of Patents Stakeholder Experience, assists with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing and the post-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Data Management. The AAU can provide assistance with questions about:
- The status of an application in the pre-examination or post-examination phase of processing
- Filing receipts
- Formality Notices (Missing Parts)
- Publication Notices
- Pre-examination and post-examination abandonment notices
- Express abandonments
- Change of address
- Power of attorney
- Inventor Oath and Declaration
- Listing a patent for sale in the Official Gazette
For more information, contact:
HelpAAU@uspto.gov
Toll-free: 888-786-0101
Local: 571-272-4000
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, except federal holidays
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers
About
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) are a nationwide network of 85 public, state, and academic libraries designated by the USPTO to disseminate patent and trademark information. PTRCs support the diverse intellectual property needs of the public. PTRC librarians meet with inventors and entrepreneurs to help them understand intellectual property (IP) concepts, and they can help you learn how to conduct a preliminary patent search or a preliminary trademark search. Examiners search tools are also available at PTRCs.
For more information, contact:
Patent and Trademark Resource Center Program (PTRCP)
PTRCOffice@uspto.gov
Patent Electronic Business Center
About
The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) assists customers with filing their electronic patent application submissions via Patent Center, as well as supporting customers using Patent Public Search. We offer one-on-one support, online electronic filing information, and instructional material.
Informational video
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
EBC@uspto.gov
866-217-9197
571-272-4100
Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to midnight ET
Office of Patent Legal Administration
About
The Office of Patent Legal Administration (OPLA) drafts rules and develops practices for the examination of patent applications and assists in the implementation of these new rules and practices. Rule packages, Official Gazette notices, collection and review of public comments, examiner training, forms, and public guidance are among the services provided in this area.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
General policy and procedures questions: 571-272-7701, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, except federal holidays
patentpractice@uspto.gov
Patents Ombuds
About
The Patents Ombuds Office provides assistance to applicants and attorneys throughout the application process including initial filing, patent examination, and post-examination. We assist applicants when the normal processing has stalled, helping to get applications back on track. The Ombuds Office is not intended to circumvent normal communication between applicants or their representatives and examiners, supervisory patent examiners (SPEs), or Technology Center (TC) directors.
For more information, contact:
PatentsOmbudsOffice@uspto.gov
571-272-5555 or 855-559-8589
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Office of Petitions
About
The Office of Petitions (OPET) is responsible for reviewing and deciding most petitions, requests, and inquiries related to the prosecution of patent applications. OPET also maintains a help desk available to assist internal and external customers with petitions-related matters.
Additional links and materials
- Patent petitions: Gives an overview of the petitions process, including the essentials, FAQs, and contact information for additional help.
- Patents petitions timeline: Provides applicants access to petitions that can be submitted during each stage of the patent prosecution process and information related to each specific petition and deciding office.
- Patent Examination Policy
For more information, contact:
571-272-3282, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, except federal holidays
Filing a patent application on your own: Pro Se Assistance Program
About
The Pro Se Assistance Program provides outreach and education to inventors who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent (also known as "pro se" filing).
Informational videos
- Guidance for filing out the Micro Entity Status Form (PTO/SB/15A)
- Introduction to Filing a Provisional Patent Application
Additional links/materials
For more information, contact:
ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
866-767-3848
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Regional Outreach Offices
About
The USPTO operates the Northeast Regional Outreach Office at our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and four additional regional offices:
- Midwest Elijah J. McCoy Regional Outreach Office (Detroit, Michigan)
- Southwest Regional Outreach Office (Dallas, Texas)
- Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office (Denver, Colorado)
- Western Regional Outreach Office (San Jose, California)
Combined, these provide inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses a USPTO presence in every U.S. time zone. Each regional outreach office offers a variety of services, including events, patent examiner interviews, teacher professional development and STEM workshops, consultations with patent and trademark experts, and Patent Trial and Appeal Board hearings. Additionally, each regional office collaborates with the network of Patent and Trademark Resource Centers.
Additional links/materials
For more information, contact:
Contact the regional office serving your area to learn more about what the USPTO can do for you.
Stakeholder Education and Training Division
About
The Stakeholder Education and Training Division (SETD) provides education and training to the intellectual property (IP) community tailored to each specific stakeholder group, in order to provide a foundation, empowerment, and ongoing support to navigate the application and examination processes.
Additional links/materials
- Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART): A program that provides training and assistance to independent inventors in developing their patent application packet materials and assists the applicants in filing their applications.
- Stakeholder Offerings and Resources (SOaR): This training events for stakeholders feature a variety of examination practice and procedure topics.
- Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP): If you are a patent attorney, agent, or inventor, it helps to think like a patent examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners make decisions. This free course is led by USPTO trainers and based on material used by USPTO employees.
For more information, contact:
Trademarks
About
The Trademarks organization of the USPTO is responsible for the federal registration of trademarks in the United States. Trademarks staff examine all applications for the registration of brand names, slogans, logos, and other indicators of source, ensuring that those trademarks meet applicable laws and regulations. They also disseminate general information about trademarks, implement the USPTO's trademark examination policy, and maintain a searchable public record of applied-for and registered trademarks.
Additional links and materials
For more information, contact:
Trademark Assistance Center: 800-786-9199
TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
About
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) hears and decides appeals taken by trademark applicants from final refusals of registration by USPTO examining attorneys; presides over opposition proceedings filed by parties challenging applications approved by examining attorneys; presides over cancellation proceedings filed by parties seeking cancellation of USPTO-issued registrations; and determines appropriate geographically distinct territories for parties involved in concurrent use proceedings.
Additional links/materials
For more information, contact:
TTAB Assistance Center: 571-272-8500 or 800-786-9199
Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
TTABInfo@uspto.gov
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