Derris Banks appointed regional director of USPTO’s Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office
As Regional Director, Banks will carry out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO and ensure the USPTO’s initiatives and programs are tailored to the region's unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders. The Midwest Regional Office serves aspiring and current inventors and entrepreneurs in the Midwest Region, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

 
Record number of patent practitioners and law firms help under-resourced inventors and small businesses participate in innovation economy

This past year, the Patent Pro Bono Program featured more than 120 patent practitioners reporting 50 or more hours each of patent pro bono service to a regional patent pro bono program.

USPTO seeks nominations for Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees

The three-year term for new members, who can participate in the Committees remotely, will start on December 1, 2024. Nominations must be electronically submitted on or before July 5, 2024.

USPTO announces National Strategy for Inclusive Innovation

The Strategy aims to grow the economy, create quality jobs, and address global challenges by increasing participation in STEM, inventorship, and innovation among youth and those from historically underrepresented and underresourced communities.

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The time is now to put women’s entrepreneurship into overdrive, to increase the number of women-led businesses, bolster jobs, and spread economic prosperity.”
- Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO
Learn more about the Women's Entrepreneurship (WE) initiative
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New map enhancement

Find a USPTO office or resource center near you
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IP Identifier

Learn the type of intellectual property you have and how to protect it
USPTO Service to Success event in March 2023 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Director's blog

Intellectual property and entrepreneurship resources for the military community
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