You have a great idea and you want to get your invention protected before going further into the market. One way to protect your innovative idea is filing a patent application. Well, preparing for a patent application is complicated and filing a patent application is not inexpensive. Do you know that there are free legal assistance programs available to assist inventors in preparing and filing a patent application?

Welcome to this Information Session on How to Obtain “Free” Legal Assistance on Preparing and Filing Patent Applications for Inventors and Small Businesses. A USPTO staff attorney and a former patent examiner will be on hand to discuss Pro Bono programs at the Office, and answer questions about the patent process and provide information on how to obtain free legal assistance through the Georgia PATENTS Program. Bring your questions!

This event is free and open to everyone on campus and in the public. Registration is required. 

Light refreshments will be included.

SPEAKER BIOS

John Kirkpatrick is a Patent Pro Bono Administrator and Staff Attorney at the USPTO. He is dedicated to making sure that all inventors have access to the patent system, including those who are financially under-resourced. He works with patent pro bono programs across the nation to guarantee pro bono coverage in all 50 states pursuant to the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA).

Previously, Mr. Kirkpatrick served as a patent examiner and was employed by a private intellectual property firm. Mr. Kirkpatrick received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University and graduated, cum laude, from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He is a member of the Virginia Bar.

Tara Ho is a Patent Pro Bono Assistant Coordinator on detail in the Office of Enrollment and Discipline at the USPTO. She is dedicated to the USPTO’s commitment that “no worthwhile invention is left unexamined due to lack of financial resources.” Guided by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, she works with pro bono programs across the 50 states to make sure that all inventors have access to the patent system.

Previously, Ms. Ho served as a patent examiner and patent classifier in the Office of International Patent Cooperation. She was also an attorney at an intellectual property firm and at an invention discovery company in San Francisco. Ms. Ho received her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law with a JD/MBA. She is a member of the California Bar.

Directions & Parking Information

* Visitors need to park at one of the visitors parking lots on campus. The closest parking spaces are Visitors Area 2 or Area 3, near the Student Center (350 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30332). More questions on directions? Call the library services desk at 404-894-4500.