Solo inventors and businesses or non-profits with a patentable idea can receive assistance in prosecuting a patent application with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Patent Clinic. Thomas Jefferson School of Law was the first law school in California with both a Patent and Trademark clinic affiliated with the USPTO's Law School Clinic Certification Program.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law students, under the supervision of California licensed patent attorneys, work with lower-income inventors and businesses with a developed idea but without the means to hire a patent attorney to advise them. Patent protection is essential to establishing a thriving business and getting recognition for a successful invention. Students who participate in the Patent Clinic will work directly with clients and gain practical experience in problem solving, client development, drafting and critical thinking skills. For students who wish to apply to work in the Patent Clinic, go to the Patent Clinic Student Eligibility and Requirements webpage.
The Patent Clinic provides patent legal assistance in the following areas:
- Client counseling
- Invention disclosure interview
- Patentability search and opinion
- Patent application preparation
- Patent application filing (administrative fees paid by client)
- Patent application prosecution to issuance (administrative fees paid by client)
- Patent application appeals (limited)
- Patent licensing
Thomas Jefferson School of Law students who work in the Patent Clinic do not represent clients in court. They cannot file international patent applications and cannot manage or administer maintenance fees for issued patents. Although the clinic provides free legal services, clients must pay all applicable USPTO fees.
Potential clients are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the USPTO administrative fee structure for patents. http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-s...
Interested inventors can apply for clinic services by completing the Request for Services Form. Walk-in services are not available. For more information about our services, please call the phone number listed below.
Students who participate in the Patent Clinic will have the opportunity to directly assist clients desiring to obtain patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The clinical experience will provide students with practical opportunities to develop skills in problem solving, client development, drafting and critical thinking. Go to Patent Clinic Student Eligibility and Requirements for more information on the student application process.
“The Patent Program at Thomas Jefferson School of Law provided me with invaluable experience working with clients, drafting patent applications, and handling filings on EFS Web. This experience set me apart from other young professionals in the field of Intellectual Property law and allowed me hit the ground running at my first job without having to go through the typical learning curve that most new hires face.”
Patent Clinic
Small Business Law Center
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
701 B St. Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.961.4382
Fax: 619.961.1382
Email: [email protected]