USPTO's Eastern Regional Outreach Office Update

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Don’t hibernate this winter. Break the ice and join the USPTO’s Eastern Regional Outreach Office as we offer a bounty of educational, informative, and engaging virtual events available to attendees nationwide. Listed below are some of our upcoming programs, but you can also learn more about all of our programming and resources in the full event listing on the Eastern Regional Outreach Office's webpage.

We welcome you to reach out to us. Whether it is to invite us to speak at your upcoming event or to schedule a one-on-one appointment to discuss your intellectual property, we look forward to interacting with you. There is snow time like the present!

Upcoming events

January

The Path to a Patent, Part I: IP basics

January 8, 1-3 p.m. ET

Learn about intellectual property basics at this interactive virtual session. In this module, we will provide a brief overview of the different types of IP (trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and patents). USPTO experts will then review the patenting process from invention to application to issue. We will also cover the requirements for patentability, how to determine whether a provisional or nonprovisional application is right for you, and how to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring a patent attorney.

Trademark fundamentals

January 12, 3-4 p.m. ET

Learn about trademark registration and ask experts your questions during a virtual meeting with the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC). The USPTO regional offices host this interactive question and answer session quarterly. This free event is intended for individuals with a beginning to intermediate level of knowledge of trademarks.

The Path to a Patent, Part II: How to draft a provisional patent application

January 21, 1-3 p.m. ET

Experts from the USPTO will discuss the key differences between provisional and nonprovisional applications, the filing requirements and fees, different ways available to file a provisional application, and more.

The Path to a Patent, Part III: Patent searching

January 22, 1-3 p.m. ET

Before you file your patent application, you need to conduct a prior art search. Learn about the benefits of searching, how to perform a prior art search using keywords and the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system, how to build a search strategy using the suggested Seven Step Strategy, tips and resources for searching, and more. 

Patent prosecution boot camp, Module Two

January 23, 1-3 p.m. ET

If you are a law student interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property (IP), you need to understand the patent process and the ways patent examiners review patent applications. The USPTO regional offices are offering an interactive four-part course on patent prosecution. Module Two covers the importance of patent claims, different types of claims, and claim interpretation.  

The Path to a Patent, Part IV: Learn how to draft a patent application

January 29, 1-3 p.m. ET

You need to understand patent application drafting to protect your invention. Attend this virtual workshop and learn from USPTO experts about the formalities and requirements of drafting a patent application, as well as common pitfalls to avoid. 

 

February

Patent prosecution boot camp, Module Three

February 6, 1-3 p.m. ET

If you are a law student interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property, you need to understand the patent process and the ways patent examiners review patent applications. The USPTO regional offices are offering an interactive four-part course on patent prosecution. Module Three covers legal statues more in-depth, including common prior art rejections and ways to overcome rejections to advance patent prosecution towards allowance.   

The Path to a Patent, Part V: Learn how to draft patent claims

February 12, 1-3 p.m. ET

Claim drafting may be the most important part of protecting your invention. Learn the basics of claim drafting from USPTO experts in this interactive workshop. You will develop a better appreciation of how patent examiners view claims during the course of examination, the formalities and requirements for drafting claims, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Patent prosecution boot camp, Module Four

February 20, 1-3 p.m. ET

If you are a law student interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property, you need to understand the patent process and the ways patent examiners review patent applications. The USPTO regional offices are offering an interactive four-part course on patent prosecution. Module Four covers one of the most important skills for patent practitioners: drafting patent applications claims. 

Trademark application walk-through

February 23, 3-4:30 p.m. ET

Don't miss this live walk-through of the trademark application process with Jason Lott, Attorney Advisor for Trademark Educational Outreach. The presentation will cover how to use the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and explanations of the various sections of each form.

The Path to a Patent, Part VI: Learn how to protect your IP abroad

February 26, 1-3 p.m. ET

Did you know that patents offer country-by-country protection? Learn how to help protect your intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. The USPTO's International Patent Legal Administration will host a two-hour seminar on considerations and options for filing foreign patent applications. The discussion will include an overview of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the use of the Paris Convention for non-PCT countries.

 

March

Learn to protect your IP on a budget

March 5, 3-4 p.m. ET 

Tom Cowan, co-chair of Licensing Executive Society (LES) San Diego Chapter and partner at intellectual property and technology law firm Knobbe Martens, will present options that inventors and companies may consider for securing and maintaining intellectual property rights. In addition, USPTO's Silicon Valley Regional Director Wayne Stacy will discuss USPTO resources available to assist the innovation and entrepreneur community.

The Path to a Patent, Part VII: Learn how to file your patent application using EFS-Web

March 12, 1-3 p.m. ET

Now that you have finished your patent application, the last step is filing with the USPTO. Learn how to use the Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web) and manage your patent application online using the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. The presentation includes an interactive tutorial, an overview of various helpful resources such as the Inventor’s Assistance Center (IAC), and information about the Patent Electronics Business Center (EBC). 

Learn about design patents

March 19, 1-3 p.m. ET

What is a design patent? How do design and utility patents differ? Learn the basics of the design patent system from USPTO design supervisory patent examiners. This session will be useful for inventors, entrepreneurs, and all those who would like to learn more about patents and have a beginning to intermediate knowledge of the patent system.

The Path to a Patent, Part VIII: Common mistakes and support after filing

March 26, 1-2:30 p.m. ET

Don't miss this session designed to provide inventors with relevant information on filing for a patent. Learn about common mistakes to avoid in patent application filing, and gain a better understanding about post filing procedures and support. 

Visit the Eastern Regional Outreach Office or Startup Resources pages for more information.