The United States
Patent and Trademark Office

A Helping Hand for
Independent
Inventors

It's about access.

How to contact the Office of Independent Inventor Programs:

Call us at  703 306-5568
Fax us at  703 306-5570
Email us at: [email protected]

Or mail your communication to:

The Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
Office of Independent Inventor Programs
Box 24
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Washington, DC 20231


NOTE:  For information concerning specific matters pending before the PTO, contact the Patent or Trademark Examining Operation directly.  To receive general information about patents and trademarks, call 1-800 PTO 9199.


 

     The Office of Independent Inventor Programs was established in 1999.  Reporting directly to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, the office provides independent inventors and entrepreneurs a direct channel to the highest levels of the PTO.  Your feedback and input relative to PTO issues of concern will be heard.

     The principal mission of this office is to ensure PTO-based support and encouragement of independent inventors and small business concerns through focused, innovative activities and projects.

 

It's about support.

     Improved responsiveness to inventor needs through a network of customer service centers within each major patent and trademark examination division.

     Regular reviews of PTO rules and procedures for the purpose of simplifying the process, eliminating red tape.

     Aggressive PTO projects to counter the growing menace of fraudulent invention marketing firms.

 

It's about education.

     Increased PTO participation in inventor and entrepreneur conferences and seminar programs.

     Establishment of a PTO Patent Academy based inventor and entrepreneur education initiative, called the Saturday Seminar Series.

     Outreach Teams visiting regional inventor and entrepreneur organization meetings, bringing patent and trademark information and issue discussions to the grassroots level.

     Development of state-of-the-art educational tools and delivery modes including distance learning, virtual classrooms and Internet-based systems.

 

It's about communication.

     An open doorway where the independent inventor community can bring concerns and input with respect to both the Patent and Trademark Systems.

     Expanded PTO Web site with pages dedicated to serving the special needs and interests of the independent inventor and entrepreneur.

     Roundtable discussions concerning policy issues and PTO operational matters where the independent inventor community is guaranteed a place at the table.

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