The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has designated the University of Arizona College of Law's clinic as a pro bono hub for the state, officials said.
The Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic in the James E. Rogers College of Law is one of four law schools in the country to be designated as a hub for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's pro bono program, according to a news Β UA News release.
The program focuses on connecting financially under-resourced independent investors, small businesses and startup companies with free legal counsel from local patent attorneys.
The UA initiative, called the Arizona Public Patent Program, allows Arizona residents to apply with the clinic for assistance. The clinic will review the file and match qualifying applicants with an Arizona attorney who will assist them, free of charge, the release said.
In 2015, nearly 3,000 patent applications were filed in the state. Before the UA law school earned its pro bono designation, Arizona residents were directed to a California pro bono program.
The public is invited to attend an information session and launch on Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the law school's Lewis Roca Rothgerber Lobby, 1201 E. Speedway.
The session will be geared toward inventors, patent attorneys and students studying intellectual property law.
To register for the event, click here.
