Patent and Trademark Resource Center: Inventor/Entrepreneur Resources

The Compendium is the governing administrative manual for registrations and recordations issued by the U.S. Copyright Office.

The filing of this electronic application will begin the administrative recordation process with CBP. A separate application is required for each recordation sought.

MIT App Inventor is an intuitive, visual programming environment that allows everyone – even children – to build fully functional apps for smartphones and tablets. Those new to MIT App Inventor can have a simple first app up and running in less than 30 minutes.

The Dayton community is here to support you and your product idea from a coffee shop sketch to prototype to product launch and beyond. This listing provides local resources for your startup.

Resources for business and market research available from The Dayton Metro Library. Contact Ann Riegle-Crichton at ariegle@daytonmetrolibrary.org for more information.

Unscrupulous promoters take advantage of an inventor's enthusiasm for a new product or service. They not only urge inventors to patent their ideas or invention, but they also make false and exaggerated claims about the market potential of the invention or idea. This FTC web site gives tips on how to avoid being scammed.

Please be aware that private companies not associated with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) often use trademark application and registration information from the USPTO's databases to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations. Trademark applicants and registrants continue to submit a significant number of inquiries and complaints to the USPTO about such solicitations, which may include offers: (1) for legal services; (2) for trademark monitoring services; (3) to record trademarks with U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (4) to "register" trademarks in the company's own private registry.

This is the Inventors Council of Dayton's online discussion group. Inventors, IP professionals, marketers and others share and participate in online discussions about issues affecting independent inventors. The local meeting of the Inventors Council of Dayton is held the first Wednesday of each month. For more information and directions to the meetings contact; Stephen Frey, President at SWFDAY@aol.com

The SBDC National Information Clearinghouse serving the Small Business
Development Center Network and America's small business community

TEC researches, identifies, teaches and disseminates the critical skill and values that enable entrepreneurs to succeed. In order to foster economic development, TEC maintains a network of other successful technology-based entrepreneurs for self-help and peer support.

Dayton SCORE provides access to high quality business advice and training by certified Dayton SCORE mentors. These business services are provided in one-on-one meetings and workshops designed to meet the needs of start-up and existing small businesses.

A list of companies that accept product submissions from independent inventors.

ABLE is committed to providing technical and legal support for low-income entrepreneurs beginning or struggling to maintain a small business, particular;y focusing on historic gaps in legal counsel to low-income and minority business owners and institutionalized barriers to success.

A guide to various USPTO resources for inventors and entrepreneurs.

The Program provides free legal assistance to under-resourced inventors interested in securing patent protection for their inventions.

The Pro Se Assistance Program is the United States Patent and Trademark Office's comprehensive pilot to expand outreach to inventors who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent (also known as "pro se" filing). On this page, you will find information about the program and how it works, and guides and resources for some of the most common issues that pro se applicants encounter.

The Patents Ombudsman Program enhances the USPTO's ability to assist applicants or their representatives with issues that arise during patent application prosecution. More specifically, when there is a breakdown in the normal application process, including before and after prosecution, the Patents Ombudsman Program can assist in getting the application back on track.

Check current estimates on how long it will take for a first office action on a patent application by entering an Art Unit or Class and Subclass associated with a current or potential application.

The Law School Clinic Certification program allows law students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic program to practice Intellectual Property Law before the USPTO under the strict guidance of a Law School Faculty Clinic Supervisor. The program currently consists of students practicing in both patent and trademark law before the USPTO. The program is administered by the Office of Enrollment and Discipline. The Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline grants the law students limited recognition to practice before the Office.