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

3. USPTO Offices 1

4. 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

5. 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)
Addresses:
Toll Free Number
Pro Se Assistance Program Webpage: 3

6. IP Awareness Assessment Tool
Measure and increase your knowledge of IP and the IP protections available 4

7. 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:
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 to access current USPTO fee schedule 5

8. Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) 6

9. 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: or Local: 7

10. 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: 8

11. 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: 9

12. 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)
(toll free)
(local)
Website: 10

13. 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:
Hours of Operation: 8:30am-8:00pm EST, Monday through Friday
Phone: Toll-free: (option 1) or (press 0) 11

14. 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: 12

15. Office of Innovation Development
Thank You!
Office of Innovation Development