Resources for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Independent Inventors Len Tran United States Patent and Trademark Office

USPTO Offices 1

Office of Innovation Development (OID) Do you have limited resources and are considering filing without the help of an attorney? Dedicated personnel to assist inventors filing without an attorney/agent (pro se applicants). Targeted support to connect independent inventors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs with helpful and relevant resources and information. In-person, 1-on-1 assistance at USPTO Headquarters. Patent Virtual Assistance from select Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward County Main Library Amherst, MA - Science and Engineering Library, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Morgantown, WV - Evansdale Library, West Virginia University Houghton, MI - Van Pelt and Opie Library, Michigan Technological University Rochester, NY - Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County Scam Prevention 2

Office of Innovation Development (OID) con’t Conducts outreach to provide awareness and education and ensure the U.S. intellectual property system accessible and transparent. Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM (EST) Email Addresses: innovationdevelopment@uspto.gov Toll Free Number 866-767-3848 Pro Se Assistance Program Webpage: https://www.uspto.gov/prosepatents 3

IP Awareness Assessment Tool Measure and increase your knowledge of IP and the IP protections available https://ipassessment.uspto.gov/index.html 4

Micro Entity Status $70.00 $140.00 $280.00 75% reduction of most patent fees To qualify, patent applicant must meet criteria For more information please visit: https://www.uspto.gov/PatentMicroentity Micro Entity Fee Small Entity Fee Fee Provisional Application Filing Fee $70.00 $140.00 $280.00 Fees noted above are as of October 1, 2018 – Please visit https://www.uspto.gov/fees to access current USPTO fee schedule 5

Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) https://www.uspto.gov/PTRC 6

Inventors Assistance Center The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. Answers general questions regarding patent examining policy and procedure. Assists with identifying necessary forms and completion. IAC cannot provide legal advice or legal interpretations How to Contact the IAC Hours: 8:30am-8:00pm ET, Monday-Friday, except federal holidays Toll free: 800-786-9199 or Local: 571-272-1000 7

Patent Pro Bono Program Matches financially under-resourced small business and independent inventors with patent practitioners that volunteer their legal services. Promotes small business growth and development. Helps ensure that no deserving invention lacks patent protection because of a lack of money to hire a practitioner. Learn more about the Patent Pro Bono Program, and to access the Patent Pro Bono Informational Videos, please visit their webpage: https://www.uspto.gov/PatentProBono Email: probono@uspto.gov 8

Law School Clinic Certification Program Independent law school clinics provide free legal services to qualified inventors. Law school students provide the services under the supervision of an experienced law school supervising attorney. Students practicing in patent and trademark law. Over 50 law schools currently participating Phone: 571-272-4097 Email: lawschoolinformation@uspto.gov 9

Patents Ombudsman Office Assists applicants throughout the application process including initial filing, patent examination, and post examination. Helps applicants get their applications back on track. How to Contact the Patents Ombudsman Office: Telephone (M-F from 8:30am – 8:00pm ET) 855-559-8589 (toll free) 571-272-5555 (local) Website: https://www.uspto.gov/ombudsman 10

Trademark Assistance Center Main Trademark support center for all customers. TAC can answer your questions on a variety of trademark topics. TAC cannot give legal advice. What Every Small Business Should Know Now, Not Later video: https://www.uspto.gov/Watch/BFSmallBusiness Hours of Operation: 8:30am-8:00pm EST, Monday through Friday Phone: Toll-free: 800-786-9199 (option 1) or 571-272-9250 (press 0) Email : TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov 11

Startup Resources Webpage Links to resources that assist startup businesses that face unique intellectual property challenges. Patent and Trademark information U.S. map of resources for inventors, entrepreneurs and small business owners Upcoming USPTO Events Startup Resources webpage: https://www.uspto.gov/Startups 12

Office of Innovation Development Thank You! Office of Innovation Development innovationdevelopment@USPTO.GOV 866-767-3848