First Patent Is Granted Under AIA’s Pro Bono Program

The Patent and Trademark Office granted its first patent under the America Invents Act’s Pro Bono program on June 18.

Under the AIA, PTO is encouraged to “work with and support intellectual property law associations across the country in the establishment of pro bono programs designed to assist financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses” (206 DER A-3, 10/25/11).

The pilot program launched in Minnesota in June 2011, three months before the September enactment of the AIA. The pilot was expanded to Denver this June. Four additional programs—in northern and southern California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.— are slated ...