Should I give up on my dream because it’s too expensive?
You may be a small business owner, or an individual, who have great ideas for a new technology, product, or new ways of doing things. You are excited about bringing your ideas to market and how they will make a difference in the world! Then you find out how much it costs to make your dream a reality, should you just give up?
There are existing resources out there that can help you.
What is pro bono?
Pro bono or pro bono publico is a Latin phrase, and it means “for the public good,” or professional work done by legal professionals voluntarily and without payment. They usually provide legal services to those who are unable to afford them.
The American Bar Association (ABA) and many states, if not all, encourage lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to people with limited means or to nonprofit organizations that serve these individuals.
Many law firms have attorneys dedicated for pro bono services, while others may have multiple attorneys working on different pro bono matters, depending on their expertise.
What pro bono or resources are available for intellectual property?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
Patent Pro Bono Program for independent inventors and small businesses includes “a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that match volunteer patent professionals with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses for the purpose of securing patent protection. Each regional program provides services for residents of one or more states.” More information can be found here.
USPTO is reducing the fees for entities or individuals who qualify as “small” or “micro” to make the process more affordable. For example, the basic filing fee for a patent application is currently $320, and $80 for a micro entity. For filing fees, see here. Check to see if you qualify here.
It also has several bootcamps or training programs available for free to the public on a regular basis. Check out the event page for information. Most are available virtually, so you can participate from anywhere.
There may also be additional events at the Regional Offices. There are currently four regional offices: Dallas, Denver, Detroit, and San Jose. Check out their locations here.
Additionally, a bill known as “Unleashing American Innovators Act,” introduced by Senators Leahy and Tillis, would enhance the outreach role of the USPTO offices, and establish new offices, “to increase participation in the patent system by women, people of color, military veterans, individual inventors, and other groups that are underrepresented in the system.” The bill would also “creates a network of smaller community outreach offices, which will partner with local community organizations to create community-based programs to educate Americans about the patent system and the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Local and Other Resources:
Law schools may have legal clinics, and may include intellectual property. You may want to reach out to the law schools in your area, especially those with an intellectual property program.
State and local bar associations may have their own pro bono programs, or may know attorneys who can help you.
Many law firms have a pro bono program in-house. If you need help, reach out to an intellectual property law firm to inquire.
Nonprofit organizations, including local ones, may be able to connect you with some available resources. For example, the California Inventors Assistance Program (CIAP) is “designed to assist financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses,” and works in conjunction with the USPTO. More information can be found here.
What’s available at FRESH IP?
We support inventors of all sizes, from independent inventors to start-up, from pre-seed to unicorn status. We have a pro bono program in-house to provide great services to our clients. To get in touch with us, contact Emily Do, our Pro Bono Program Coordinator at emily@freship.com.
