A Helping Hand for
Independent
Inventors

How to contact the Office of Independent Inventor Programs:

Call us at  703 306-5568
Fax us at  703 306-5570
Email us at: independentinventor@uspto.gov

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.

¨     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.

¨     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.

¨     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.