Inventors FAQ
Pro Bono - FAQ – Inventors - Other
How can an inventor apply to receive pro bono representation under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
An inventor can apply directly to his/her regional Patent Pro Bono Program. A map of the regional Patent Pro Bono Programs is found here.
What role do the regional Patent Pro Bono Programs play in the process?
The regional Patent Pro Bono Programs are at the very center of the Program. Each regional Patent Pro Bono Program sets the criteria for an inventor's participation in the program. The regional programs perform the intake function, screen potential clients, screen potential volunteer patent attorneys, and attempt to match the client with the volunteer attorney. The regional programs also maintain statistics relating to the Patent Pro Bono Program. Many programs may offer educational outreach relating to the patent process.
What is the Patent Pro Bono Program?
The USPTO began working with local bar associations and non-profit groups in 2011 as a result of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act to establish programs to provide free legal assistance to under-resourced inventors interested in securing patent protection for their inventions. The USPTO named this effort the "Patent Pro Bono Program." Under this initiative, many regional Patent Pro Bono programs have developed across the United States.
Who administers the Patent Pro Bono Program?
At the local level, each regional Patent Pro Bono Program is administered by a non-profit entity that is responsible for the screening and referral of patent matters to licensed patent attorneys. At the national level, the Pro Bono Advisory Council, a committee of well-known patent practitioners who agreed to provide support and guidance to the Patent Pro Bono Program, facilitates various aspects of the Program.
What states are covered by the Patent Pro Bono Program?
Please see the USPTO’s Pro Bono web page for the most up to date lists of states participating in the patent pro bono program. New regional Patent Pro Bono Program are being added frequently, so the website is the best source for up-to-date information.
Is there a limit on the number of inventors who may obtain pro bono representation under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
No, there is no limit on how many inventors may participate in the Patent Pro Bono Program. However, for each inventor accepted into a regional program, there must be a volunteer patent attorney willing to represent the client in order for the program to be successful.
What role does the USPTO play in the Patent Pro Bono Program?
The USPTO's Pro Bono Coordinator works with intellectual property law associations and other non-profits to establish regional Patent Pro Bono Programs for financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses. The USPTO is helping to expand coverage of the Patent Pro Bono Program to all 50 states. The USPTO, however, does not manage or operate the day-to-day functioning of the various programs.
Can an inventor obtain patent litigation help under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
No, support through the Patent Pro Bono Program is limited to patent application filing and prosecution (i.e., the efforts to obtain a patent). Post-patenting matters, including litigation, are not covered under the Program.
What types of patent services are available to inventors under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
In general, the Patent Pro Bono Program provides services related to the filing and prosecution of patent applications. Specifically, services can include the filing of a non-provisional application and/or the prosecution of a non-provisional application up through, and to, allowance or final rejection. The scope of services provided under the Patent Pro Bono Program is designed to be flexible, accommodating the needs of both the volunteer attorney and the inventor.
If an inventor resides in a state not covered by the Patent Pro Bono Program, can the inventor obtain attorney representation through another state that is covered by the Program?
An inventor must be qualified to participate in the regional Patent Pro Bono Program to which he or she applies. If an inventor lives in a state which is not currently covered by a program, but meets the qualifications to request assistance from a regional Patent Pro Bono Program in a different state (e.g., the inventor lives and works in different states), then the person may apply to the program.
Can an inventor obtain help with licensing matters under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
No, inventor assistance under the Patent Pro Bono Program is generally limited to obtaining patent protection. However, some of the regional Patent Pro Bono Programs may provide additional legal services, such as information about licensing agreements. For specific information regarding the legal services offered in your area, contact your regional Patent Pro Bono Program.
Can an inventor obtain help with trademark or copyright matters under the Patent Pro Bono Program?
No, inventor assistance under the Patent Pro Bono Program is limited to patents. However, many of the regional programs provide additional legal services, such as copyright, trademark, contracts, etc. For specific information regarding the legal service offered in your area, contact your regional Patent Pro Bono Program.
How is the income limit determined?
Each regional Patent Pro Bono Program screens for its income limit. Generally, the income limit is determined by the inventor's gross household income. For instance, if the limit is 300% of the federal poverty level, an inventor who is a single person could have gross household income of up to $35,310 (3 times the poverty level) or an inventor with a family of four could have a gross household income of up to $72,900 (3 times the poverty level for a family of four). For specific information on the income limit for your region, contact your regional Patent Pro Bono Program. The federal poverty guidelines can be found at: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines.
What are the requirements that an inventor must meet to participate in the Patent Pro Bono Program?
In general, there are three requirements for participation in the Patent Pro Bono Program:
1) income below a certain threshold amount;
2) knowledge of the patent system; and
3) an invention that you are able to describe so that someone could make and use the invention.
Because specific requirements vary based upon the regional Patent Pro Bono Program, you should contact your regional Patent Pro Bono Program directly.
Where can an inventor check on the status of his/her application to the Patent Pro Bono Program?
An inventor can check the status of his/her application for requesting assistance by contacting the regional Patent Pro Bono Program to which the inventor applied.
Is an inventor required to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible to participate in the Patent Pro Bono Program?
An inventor can participate in the Patent Pro Bono Program if he/she is a U.S. citizen or a legal U.S. resident.
If an inventor does not meet the eligibility requirements for the Patent Pro Bono Program at a certain point in time but the inventor's circumstances later change, can the inventor re-apply?
Yes, an inventor may re-apply to be reconsidered for the regional Patent Pro Bono Program if the inventor's circumstances change.
What happens if an inventor does not meet the eligibility requirements for the Patent Pro Bono Program?
The regional Pro Bono Programs may be able to provide the inventor with a list of other legal resources that are available.
How can an inventor demonstrate knowledge of the patent system?
An inventor may demonstrate knowledge of the patent system in one of two ways. An inventor can either have an application on file with the USPTO, or alternatively, can successfully complete the certificate training course located at the following link: http://www.uspto.gov/video/cbt/certpck/index.htm. For specific information regarding knowledge requirements, contact your regional Patent Pro Bono Program.