CONTACT: (Media Only)
Paul Fucito
(571) 272-8400 or paul.fucito@uspto.gov
WASHINGTON - The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the recipients of the 2018 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate in recognition of individuals who help make the Patent Pro Bono Program available to financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses.
In 2018, 83 volunteer patent practitioners and 21 law firms reported 50 or more hours of patent pro bono service to a regional patent pro bono program. To acknowledge their contributions, the USPTO provided certificates and listed their names and employers on the Patent Pro Bono section of the USPTO website.
“As we’ve witnessed time and again, innovations spring from all walks of life. The recipients of this award generously alleviate the economic barriers that many inventors and small businesses face,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Andrei Iancu. “I commend these dedicated professionals for embodying our national ideals of fairness and equality. Their work not only helps inventors fulfill their dreams, it facilitates advancements in science, technology, and economic growth.”
The continued efforts of patent practitioners across the country have strengthened the success of the Patent Pro Bono Program since 2015. To date, more than 2,000 patent professionals have volunteered their availability, time, and resources to help make the Patent Pro Bono Program a success.
In 2018, the USPTO expanded its recognition to include law firms and corporations in addition to individual patent practitioners. Those whose registered practitioners cumulatively contribute a minimum number of hours (based on firm size) to one or more participating regional patent pro bono programs may receive the 2018 Law Firm and Corporate Achievement Certificate.
For more information on participating or volunteering for the program, visit the Patent Pro Bono section of the USPTO website and click on your state to identify your regional program, or email probono@uspto.gov.
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