USPTO launches IP tool to help women entrepreneurs
Initiative enables those at the start of their IP journey to determine assets and understand protection | Women are less likely than men to be able to secure the necessary capital and IP protections.
The US Patent and Trademark Office ( USPTO) has launched a tool to help entrepreneurs discover whether they have IP and if so, how to protect it.
Kathi Vidal, director of the USPTO, announced the initiative at the agency’s Women’s Entrepreneurship event in Florida, on Wednesday, January 18. The Intellectual Property Identifier is an online resource aimed at those who may be less familiar with IP, and enables users to identify whether they have IP assets and which protections could aid their business, invention or brand.
The new initiative enables those at the start of their IP journey to determine assets and understand protection.
The tool consists of two parts; the Basic IP Identifier, with six questions to determine whether an entrepreneur has created IP, and the Advanced IP Identifier to educate users on the forms of protection. After answering the questions, users are provided with a report detailing further resources including on applying for protection.
A third section with advice on managing IP assets is being developed.
Supporting innovators
Vidal told the audience at the WE event: “Protecting your IP is a smart and necessary business strategy, and the IP Identifier is a great starting point for those new to IP.
“This resource will equip entrepreneurs with a basic understanding of the IP they have and will lead them to resources to protect it. We encourage everyone who is considering starting a business or trying to grow one to utilise this tool. It’s another example of our work to bring more people into the innovation ecosystem to increase US competitiveness, grow the economy, and solve world problems.”
The USPTO launched its Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) programme in November last year, deeming it a “community-focused, collaborative, and creative initiative to inspire women and tap their potential to meaningfully increase equity, job creation, and economic prosperity”.
The agency said that women “represent the fastest growing category of entrepreneurs worldwide” but “are less likely than men to be able to secure the capital and the intellectual property protections they need to attract investment and become sustainable”.
Vidal spoke to WIPR around the same time about her plans to address the shortfalls in the number of women inventors as well as patent practitioners, and remove barriers to enable more people to gain IP protection.
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