Fundamentals of the patent-application process workshop, 1/12/23

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First-time patent-application filers interested in learning about the patent process from start to finish are invited to join the USPTO’s three-day workshop to learn the fundamentals of the patent-application process. The Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART) is for independent inventors and entrepreneurs. Day Three is from 9 am — 4 pm on Jan. 12, 2023 …

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Trademark Basics Bootcamp Starts 1/10/23

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You don’t need an attorney to apply for a trademark. If you’re filing yourself, be informed: first, do a search, and learn the difference between trademarks and service marks, and standard character formats vs. special-form formats. Learn it all at the USPTO’s Trademark Basics Boot Camp. This free, eight-part weekly series begins Tuesday, January 10, …

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Workshop: Common mistakes and post-filing support

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The USPTO’s “Path to a Patent” series continues tomorrow with a workshop about common mistakes in patent-filing. Learn about filing a patent application, what to do after you’ve filed, and common mistakes inventors make during the process.  Common mistakes we see include: failing to list all inventors; filling out the forms incorrectly; not reading the …

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Patent-Searching with the USPTO’s New Tool: December 9, 2022

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Inventors know that a patent search is a big part of research and development. Chief among the free tools researchers use are Google Patents, Espacenet, and the USPTO.  Google Patents adds little features all the time, but the USPTO’s search tool has recently undergone a giant overhaul with a completely new search tool. The new …

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Maintenance Fees: PYFRA!

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Almost every event in the life of a patent entails fees. Application fees, issue fees, fees for filing a Continuation, and the topic of this blog post: maintenance fees. Maintenance fees are paid to the USPTO to maintain a granted utility patent. (Design patents and plant patents are not subject to maintenance fees.) A patent-holder …

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“Introduction to Intellectual Property” series presented by USPTO

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Introduction to Intellectual Property is a virtual series offered quarterly by the USPTO. It continues on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 with “Patent Basics” from 2:00 — 3:00 pm ET. The series covers helpful resources for inventors and entrepreneurs.  Tuesday’s class will cover: The process of patent prosecution The role of patent examiners at the USPTO …

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Hand of History — The Mind of the Inventor (Webinar)

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So, you’re creative AND you’re a history geek? You must sign up for this USPTO webinar. The Hand of History — The Mind of the Inventor is  a month-long series presented by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Part two is on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 3 pm ET. Presented by historians, the …

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TOMORROW! Intellectual property basics and helpful resources

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Thursday, May 5, 2022: Free Workshop from the USPTO Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovation as you transition from idea to product. The discussion will cover: …

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The Path to a Patent, Part I: IP basics

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hanging lightbulb - idea image

The USPTO is offering a free course in intellectual property, starting with the basics, tomorrow, 1/6/22 at 2:00 pm ET (additional times below). This 1.5-hour class will cover:

  • An overview of the different types of IP (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights)
  • The patenting process from invention, to application, to issue
  • Requirements for patentability
  • How to determine whether a provisional or nonprovisional application is right for you
  • How to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring a patent practitioner

Please register for this virtual event.

All course times:

More info at the USPTO’s (regional) event page.