Patent Diversity, Satellite Office Bill Passed by Senate

The US Patent and Trademark Office would set up satellite offices to conduct outreach to women, minorities, and other groups underrepresented in the patent system under a bill the US Senate passed Tuesday.

The Unleashing American Innovators Act (S. 2773), introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in 2021, aims to improve diversity in the patent system. The Senate amended and passed the measure by unanimous consent.

The bill would direct the PTO to establish four community outreach offices throughout the country to educate prospective inventors, with a special focus on underrepresented populations. It ...