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Tag Archives: Humanitarian

USPTO Launches Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program

Posted by Courtenay Brinckerhoff on Posted in Patent Office Practice; Uncategorized

The USPTO has announced that it is launching its pilot program “to incentivize the distribution of patented technologies to address humanitarian needs.” As explained in the  Federal Register Notice, “the pilot program will be run as an awards competition.” The program will be open to owners of granted patents and pending patent applications in four technology areas: Medical Technology, Food & Nutrition, Clean Technology, and Information Technology. Selected applicants will receive “a certificate redeemable to accelerate select matters before the USPTO” as well as public recognition, “including an award ceremony at the USPTO.” Program applications will be accepted from March 1, 2012, through August 31, 2012, or until 1,000 program applications are accepted. Up to 50 winners will be accepted.Continue reading this entry

Can Rapid Reexamination Incentivize Humanitarian Technologies?

Posted by Courtenay Brinckerhoff on Posted in USPTO Proposed Rule Changes

On September 20, 2010, the USPTO issued a “Request for Comments on Incentivizing Humanitarian Technologies and Licensing Through the Intellectual Property System.” The proposal under consideration would offer a “fast-track ex parte reexamination voucher” designed to incentivize technologies “that address humanitarian needs.” At times like these I wish I had more “inside” information so I could understand the forces behind this proposal, but perhaps some of my readers can enlighten me.

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