Patent Office to Launch New Pro Bono, Accessibility Programs

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will roll out new intellectual property education and pro bono representation programs as part of an effort to provide economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency will launch a new pilot program called “AccessUSPTO” to offer intellectual property training to small businesses and creators, according to a blog post by Drew Hirshfeld, who is currently performing the duties of the PTO director. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board will also soon have a pro bono program, Hirshfeld said.

The new initiatives follow an executive order by President Joe Biden directing executive departments and ...