Patent Help 101
Brian Hernandez • March 25, 2025
Patent Help 101
Here is an essential guide to help you explore the variety of resources available for patent assistance provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
**USPTO Resources for Patent Assistance**
**Assignment Center:** This hub supports you in the transfer of patent or trademark ownership or updating the registration details. For more information, reach out via email at AssignmentCenter@uspto.gov or by calling 800-972-6382.
**Inventors Assistance Center (IAC):** Discover valuable guidance and information on patent applications here. The center is ready to help answer questions related to patent examination policies, necessary formats, and required forms. Contact them toll-free at 800-786-9199, locally at 571-272-1000, or via TTY/TDD at 800-877-8339.
**Patent Pro Bono Program:** This initiative aids financially under-resourced individual inventors and small businesses by pairing them with volunteer attorneys. Requirements include meeting income eligibility, possessing a reasonable understanding of the patent system, and being able to describe the invention. Learn more by emailing probono@uspto.gov.
**Patent Center:** The official site supports electronic filing and management of your patent applications.
**Application Assistance Unit (AAU):** Get help with questions concerning pre- and post-examination processing of patent applications. Contact them at 888-786-0101 or via email at HelpAAU@uspto.gov.
**Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC):** Provides guidance on electronic filing submissions and reviewing patent applications. It supports the usage of the Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web) and the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR).
**Research Assistance through Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRC):** Offers support with patent searches while not providing legal advice.
**Steps for Inventors Seeking Patent Help:**
1. **Explore the Patent Pro Bono Program:** Visit both USPTO and Patent Pro Bono Program websites. Watch informative videos to gain a thorough understanding of the program.
2. **Complete Necessary Training:** Enroll in and complete the “Basic Patent Training for Independent Inventors and Small Businesses” course.
3. **Apply for Assistance:** Fill out an application for the pro bono program or any another assistance you need.
4. **Consider Legal Advice if Required:** For complex legal matters related to your patent application, consider hiring legal advisors such as www.neweglandip.com for professional advice.
By leveraging these resources effectively, you can better navigate the patent application process and improve your chances of successfully filing your patent.
From the biotech hubs of Cambridge to the software startups in Providence and the manufacturing innovators in Hartford, New England remains a powerhouse of invention. But in 2025, the rules of the game are changing faster than ever. Artificial intelligence is generating patentable inventions, gene-editing technologies are pushing ethical boundaries, and global supply chains are forcing companies to rethink trade secret protection. At **New England IP Law Group**, we’ve helped hundreds of regional businesses—from MIT spinouts to legacy manufacturers—secure, defend, and monetize their intellectual property. This blog explores three critical trends shaping IP strategy in our region and actionable steps you can take *today* to stay ahead. --- 1. AI-Generated Inventions: Who Owns the Breakthrough? The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has made it clear: **only human inventors can be listed on patents**. Yet companies like Anthropic and Google are filing patents on AI-assisted discoveries daily. The New England Angle - **Boston’s AI Corridor**: With hubs at Kendall Square and the Seaport, local startups are using AI to accelerate drug discovery and materials science. - **Recent Precedent**: In *Thaler v. Vidal* (2022, affirmed 2024), the Federal Circuit ruled AI cannot be an inventor. But what about *human-guided* AI systems? ### Actionable Strategy | Step | Recommendation | |------|----------------| | 1 | Document **human contribution** at every stage of AI-assisted invention | | 2 | Use **joint development agreements** when collaborating with AI vendors | | 3 | File provisional patents early—AI moves fast, and so should you | **Pro Tip**: Treat your AI prompts and training datasets as potential trade secrets. We’ve seen six-figure licensing deals turn on proprietary prompt engineering. ## 2. CRISPR and Beyond: Patent Pools in Gene Editing The Broad Institute vs. UC Berkeley CRISPR patent battle may be settled, but the **commercial licensing landscape remains fragmented**. ### What’s New in 2025? - **Patent Pool Launch**: MPEG LA-style pools for base editing and prime editing technologies. - **FDA’s Stance**: Gene therapies now require proof of **freedom-to-operate** for foundational patents. ### Connecticut & Rhode Island Impact Yale and Brown University spinouts are leading in **CAR-T and RNA therapeutics**. One client saved $2.3M in licensing fees by joining the Editas Medicine patent pool early. ### Your Checklist - [ ] Audit your CRISPR tech stack for **overlapping IP** - [ ] Consider **defensive publishing** for non-core improvements - [ ] Explore **cross-licensing** with university TLOs ## 3. Trade Secrets in a Remote Work World The **Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA)** turned 9 this year, but remote work and cloud collaboration have created new vulnerabilities. ### The Seacoast Manufacturing Case Study A New Hampshire precision machining firm lost a $15M contract when an ex-employee’s OneDrive contained CAD files. The twist? The employee claimed they were “personal copies.” ### Prevention Framework ```mermaid graph TD A[Employee Onboarding] --> B[NDAs + Invention Assignment] B --> C[Cloud DLP Policies] C --> D[Exit Interviews + Device Wipes] D --> E[Annual Trade Secret Audits] ``` ## Emerging Threats: Deepfakes and Trademark Infringement AI voice cloning tools can now replicate your CEO’s voice in 30 seconds. We’re seeing a **300% uptick** in trademark disputes involving: - Deepfake ads on TikTok - AI-generated competitor product renderings - NFT trademark squatting ### Defensive Playbook 1. **Register sound marks** for jingles and voice assets 2. Monitor **AI training datasets** (yes, your logo might be in Stable Diffusion) 3. Use **Section 43(a)** Lanham Act claims for false endorsement --- ## Conclusion: Your IP Strategy Needs a 2025 Upgrade New England’s innovation economy thrives when IP protection evolves with technology. Whether you’re a solo founder in Burlington or a CTO at a Worcester medtech firm, the time to audit your portfolio is **now**. ### Next Steps - **Schedule a Free 30-Minute IP Audit** with our team → [Book here](#) - **Download our 2025 IP Checklist** → [PDF Download](#) - **Follow us** for weekly case law updates from the First Circuit
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