Federal Circuit Bar Association to Offer Clearinghouse for Pro Bono Patenting Aid

The Federal Circuit Bar Association began operating a national clearinghouse service Oct. 21 that will help match patent applicants with registered patent professionals willing to offer pro bono prosecution services.

The clearinghouse was formed by agreement with the Patent and Trademark Office as an offshoot to a commitment the PTO was required to undertake pursuant to Section 32 of the America Invents Act (Pub. L. 112-29, 125 Stat. 284 (2011)): “The Director shall work with and support intellectual property law associations across the country in the establishment of pro bono programs designed to assist financially under-resourced ...