USPTO Balks at Program to Help Startups Patents
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 20:57
Smaller biotech startups in and outside the life sciences seeking help from Washington in gaining international patent protection shouldn’t expect new grant or loan programs any time soon. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has recommended against the idea in a report released January 13. In an effort to soften the blow, USPTO suggested instead that it join with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand several current intellectual property education and training programs. The report cited just one by name—USPTO’s Intellectual Property Awareness Campaign (IPAC), which according to the agency has been offered to more than 1,000 small businesses since 2005.
