The
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) yesterday announced
the recipients of the 2019 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate in
recognition of individuals and law firms who help make the Patent Pro
Bono Program available to financially under-resourced inventors and
small businesses.
In
2019, more than 74 volunteer patent practitioners reported 50 or more
hours of patent pro bono service to a regional patent pro bono program,
and more than 27 law firms reported 100 or more hours. To acknowledge
their contributions, the USPTO provided certificates to the patent
practitioners and law firms and listed their names on the Patent Pro Bono Program webpage.
“I
want to congratulate all of the recipients for their dedication and
their time, as well as for their commitment to help under-resourced
inventors and small businesses,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Andrei Iancu.
Together,
the patent practitioner and law firm certificates recognize the
continued efforts of those who have improved access to the Pro Bono
program across all 50 states. The program has been in place since 2015.
To date, over 1600 patent professionals have volunteered their time and
resources to help make the Patent Pro Bono Program a success.
For more information on participating, visit the Patent Pro Bono Program webpage and click on your state to identify your regional program, or email probono@uspto.gov.