Patents and Trademarks: Inventors & Entrepreneurs

• Regional Accelerator & Mentoring Program: for startups in Roanoke and the surrounding area, helps fund businesses to take the next step in their development

• Verge: provides regional connection, communication, and collaboration by identifying regional priorities and funding to advance tech and biotech projects and solutions

• Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council: network of technology professionals, businesses, and organizations, collaborating to create a nationally recognized innovation ecosystem through entrepreneurship, programming, mentoring, and leadership

• Roanoke Small Business Development Center: supports small businesses throughout the Greater Roanoke Area, Franklin County, Alleghany Highlands, and the New River Valley with connections to the national SBDC network

• Opportunity Southwest Virginia: supports entrepreneurs in the region to help link them to opportunities and expand their impact in their communities

• Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation: support the Commonwealth’s vision for the expansion of innovation, opportunity, and job creation plus provides seed funding and more to help startups and entrepreneurs

• Virginia Trademark Registration: the State Corporation Commission manages registration through the Division of Securities and Retail Franchising (repository/administrative body)

If you're not looking to do the process on your own (see how to get help filing a patent application on your own), there are options for free and paid help with your patents or trademarks:

• (FREE) Patent Pro Bono Program (Virginia offers this service through the Federal Circuit Bar Association): provides free legal assistance for filing a patent application, note requirements for using the service related to income and knowledge of the US patent system

• (FREE) Law School Clinic Certification Program: law schools that provide legal services free to the public, see the list on the linked page as many cover Virginia or offer services nationally

• Virginia Bar Association Referrals: resources for finding a lawyer to meet your needs in Virginia 

Here are some key USPTO resources and links to help you get started with and manage your applications through granting or registration. And remember that USPTO generally has fees for all steps so it is to your benefit to understand the process (or work with an attorney who can help).

NEW: USPTO launched a startup training course, so be sure to check that out for your business too!

Patents

• Inventors Assistance Center: staffed by former patent examiners that can answer your questions on policy and applications

• Pro Se - Filling a Patent Application on Your Own: resources and training if you intend to file without the assistance of an attorney

• Patent Center: USPTO's newest system for applying for and managing your patents.  It even includes a training simulator if you want to practice first.  Has full functionality of EFS-Web and Private PAIR if you have previously used those systems.

• Check Patent Filing Status: main webpage with information on status and other aspects of filing patent applications

• Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (MPEP): all about patents and what examining attorneys look for when reading an application, also see prior versions

• Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB): information about how USPTO conducts trials and more (see PTAB Pro Bono program too)

Trademarks

• Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS): USPTO's system for applying for trademarks, also see TEASi for international applications (Madrid Protocol)

• Trademark Application & Status: overview of trademark applications plus estimated examination times

• Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP): all about trademarks and what examining attorneys look for when reading an application, also see prior versions

• Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB): information on how USPTO conducts trials and more

***Make sure you create your USPTO Account for Patent Center, TEAS and more - note that there are requirements for verifying your identity too.  Training for these systems is also highly recommended, which is offered regularly by USPTO (see Events page).

USPTO offers awards and more for inventors and entrepreneurs!

Be sure to check these out and see if you are eligible:

• National Medal of Technology and Innovation - highest honor available, bestowed by the president, nominations open in late winter/early spring annually

• National Inventors Hall of Fame - recognizes inventors who have changed the world with their work, open nominations, must have a patent to their name

• Collegiate Inventors Competition - for undergraduates or graduates, opportunity to advance their inventions and compete nationally, applications due in June annually

• National Academy of Inventors - nominate for a fellowship or senior member

• Edison Visiting Scholar Program - study IP and further USPTO's mission as visiting academics

• Patents for Humanity - game-changing technology for global humanitarian challenges, open annually for different categories

• Trademarks for Humanity - using trademarks to help solve humanitarian challenges, new in 2023

Make sure to sign up for USPTO's awards newsletter to keep up to date!