Minneapolis has launched a unique service that helps connect inventors with lawyers who will work on their case pro bono.
Each participant needs to attend a training program on intellectual property and is required to do a patent search to see if their ideas are new.
Inventors also will have to file a provisional application before being able to enroll in the Minnesota pilot program. To be eligible, inventors have to be within certain income levels and pay a small charge for administrative costs. Once all the requirements are met, an inventor will be matched with an attorney who will provide legal assistance.
The USPTO will be launching training modules on the independent inventor page in the near future.
Photo by Jay Tamboli