The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Federal Register Notice announcing a public listening session on June 5, 2023, 5:30-8:30 p.m. ET, in Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose is to seek feedback regarding the nationwide network of independently operated patent pro bono (free) programs.
The Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 (the Act or UAIA) requires the Director of the USPTO to complete a study of the patent pro bono programs and assess their functionality and health. The Act identified several areas of interest including:
- Whether the patent pro bono programs are adequately serving prospective and existing participants.
- Whether any participation requirements of the patent pro bono programs serve as a deterrent for prospective participants.
- The degree to which prospective inventors are aware of the patent pro bono programs.
- Whether the patent pro bono program may benefit by expanding participation to non-attorneys, including patent agents and patent paralegals.
A complete list of areas being addressed in the study is available in the Federal Register Notice.
Participation
For this listening session, the USPTO is seeking input from stakeholders that include, but are not limited to, inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, inventor groups, public interest groups, and the general public.
The USPTO welcomes feedback from stakeholders to support its study to evaluate the patent pro bono programs, which will be used to make recommendations to Congress regarding possible administrative and legislative actions. This listening session will include a presentation from stakeholders in the patent pro bono program and provide an opportunity for the public to directly comment on these areas of inquiry.
Registration is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrants may attend the listening session in person in Alexandria, Virginia, or participate via a virtual WebEx conference. For in person attendance you must register on or before June 2, 2023. All participants must register to attend.
Register to attend in person Register to attend online
Session information
Transcript: The transcript can be found here.
Presentation: The slides presented at the listening session are found here.
Agenda: The agenda can be found here.
Biographies: Presenter Biographies are found here.
Federal Register Notice: Additional details about the listening session are found in a Federal Register Notice published on April 12, 2023.
Additional information: For non-press inquiries, please contact Grant Corboy, at Grant.Corboy@uspto.gov
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.