The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is making it easier for budding inventors with the debut of its Council for Inclusive Innovation First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program.
According to a USPTO news release, the effort will serve underrepresented individuals or small businesses that can quality as a “micro entity” with access to expedited initial feedback on a patent application. The goal of the program is to foster innovation nationwide.
“This new initiative is another way we are working through our Council for Inclusive Innovation to lift independent inventors and small business owners — including those from underrepresented communities — who are new to the patent process and provide them with resources and assistance they need to protect patentable innovations,” USPTO Director Kathi Vidal said in the news release. "By accelerating the examination process, it is our hope that expedited feedback from the agency’s initial review of the application will allow them to make key business decisions at an earlier stage as we work together to bring more innovation to impact.”
According to the release, the program will focus on first-time applicants for patents who are from underrepresented groups in the innovation sector. Lengthy wait times to secure a patent could serve as a hurdle to see some projects through to commercialization, particularly in underserved areas and among veterans, minorities and women.
Moreover, the news release noted when an innovation is patentable, it can get to market sooner when the application process is streamlined. Participants have to be trained in the application process to work with the USPTO and get the most out of an expedited examination.
The USPTO also noted the initiative compliments its other expedited examination programs and demonstrates its efforts for equity and inclusion, according to the release.
The program will spotlight innovation from diverse communities as it clears the path to entry and speeding up the patent application process. The program will accept up to 1,000 petitioners for an expedited examination, and options are available on the initiatives page on the USPTO website, the release reported.
