Institute working with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to support national initiative
GAINESVILLE & BOCA RATON, Fla. May 4, 2015- The Institute for Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today the launch of the Florida Patent Pro Bono Program in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO). The program links qualified inventors and small businesses with volunteer patent agents and attorneys who provide pro bono legal assistance on specific aspects of the patent process, and is now active in nearly all 50 states. The program will be announced at eMerge Americas on Monday, May 4th at 1:15, and a launch reception will take place in Tampa on Wednesday, May 6th at 5:30.
In 2011, the U.S. Congress passed the America Invents Act (AIA), which called for the USPTO to establish regional patent programs to assist financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses. The establishment of the Florida Patent Pro Bono Program recognizes that Florida inventors are among the top sources of new patent applications in United States.
Utilizing the services of highly-specialized legal talent with industry-specific expertise can streamline the patent application process greatly. If accepted into the Florida Pro Bono Patent Program, applicants may expect exposure to intellectual property experts, support in certain aspects of the patent application process, and partnership opportunities to enhance business development.
By supporting the protection and commercialization of new technologies, participating patent agents and attorneys are contributing to the growth of Florida’s innovation economy. Additionally, they are supporting President Obama’s seven Executive Actions for the USPTO to assist innovators by expanding the pro bono programs in all 50 states.
“The Institute is pleased to be administering this important program for Florida inventors, which promotes entrepreneurship, job growth and innovation-based economic development,” said Jamie Grooms, Institute Chief Executive Officer. “The Florida Patent Pro Bono Program will accelerate the commercialization of important new products and enable Florida companies to compete more effectively in the global economy.”
About the Institute
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida’s state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. Over 100 new company projects have been identified across the state, and the Institute deploys company building and funding programs to promising Florida startups. Thirty-eight companies have been funded since the program’s inception.