Free Patent Filing Assistance in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the city in Los Angeles County. It’s located in southern California. It is the second-most populous city in the United States.  If you’re an inventor in the City of Angels, you’re probably wondering if there are any resources available to help you file for a patent for your idea. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help you file for a utility, design, or provisional patent.

Basic Requirements for US Patent

For one to be granted a Patent, the invention must meet certain criteria. These criteria are consistent across the country. Inventions should be original, not obvious, and industrially applicable.

• If the invention was already part of a public record or used before the filing date, you may not be eligible for a Patent. The record could be found in the country or elsewhere in the world.
• Non-obvious refers to the fact that your invention is not obvious to someone skilled in the art or working in the same technical field.
• A invention must be capable of industrial use. This means that the invention is industrially applicable or has practical applications.
• Some subject matter is not patentable. These subject matters are not patentable and may include scientific theories, mathematical methods, natural laws, and other principles.

These points are crucial for Patent filing in Los Angeles and elsewhere. These points may prove helpful when you plan to file a Patent.

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Types of US Patent Applications

There are two types of patent applications available for filing:

• Non-provisional : This non-provisional application covers the title and abstract, description, claims, drawings, and claims. It is necessary to describe the technical, functional, or structural aspects of the invention.
• Provisional: A provisional application is filed to obtain an early filing date or priority. Patent law states that the patent rights are granted to the inventor who files the patent application first. This provisional application is necessary to obtain the crucial patent filing date.

California Inventors Assistance Program

Small businesses and inventors may be eligible to receive free legal help in filing and preparing a patent application. Patent Pro Bono Program, a national network of regional programs independently managed by patent professionals, matches small-business inventors with volunteer patent professionals to secure patent protection. 

Each program offers services to residents of one or several states. Los Angeles inventors can be served by the California Inventors Assistance Program. This program is part of the USPTO nationwide pro-bono program. It matches inventors who are eligible (based on their income) with patent professionals and volunteer attorneys that will assist you in filing your patent application.

Requirements

Admission requirements to each regional program may vary. The general requirements for admission are:

Income Your gross household income should not exceed three times the federal poverty levels, though certain regional programs may have other criteria.

Knowledge
One of these two methods must be used to prove your knowledge of the patent system:

• A provisional application is an already filed with the USPTO.
• Successful completion of the certificate training course.

Invention
You should be able describe the specific features and how they work.

Law school clinics

Los Angeles inventors and entrepreneurs can obtain free legal help for both patent and trademark matters by contacting law school clinics. This include:

• California Western School of Law: TrademarkClinic@tjsl.edu (trademarks)
• Lincoln Law School of San Jose: ipclinic@lincolnlawsj.edu (patents and trademarks)
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law clinic: PatentClinic@tjsl.edu (patents) TrademarkClinic@tjsl.edu (trademarks)
• University of California Los Angeles clinic: uspto@law.ucla.edu (patents)
• University of California Irvine clinic: IPATintake@law.uci.edu (trademarks)
• University of San Diego clinic: eclinic@sandiego.edu
• University of San Francisco School of Law: lawclinic@usfca.edu (trademarks)

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Patent & Trademark Resource Center 

Certain libraries in the United States have been designated as a Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). These centers provide training staff and resources to assist customers in understanding and using USPTO information, filing systems, and other related services. Los Angeles is served by the Los Angeles Public Library.

The USPTO has a list of registered patent agents and active patent attorneys that you can use if you are looking to hire an attorney. Select California to search for an agent or attorney.

https://www.ycombinator.com/documents/
https://techcrunch.com/
https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/startup-resources
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/fund-your-business
https://hbr.org/1998/11/how-venture-capital-works
http://patentpc.com/
http://uspto.gov/

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