The USPTO recently made the announcement that 19 new schools will join the USPTO’s Law School Clinic Certification Pilot Program, providing pro bono legal services to the public.

The program, initially designed to give students practice in real patent and trademark law, will continue to provide “future intellectual property lawyers with the real-world experience and tools crucial to tackle the complexities of today’s IP law landscape.”

A number of non-profit clinics, run by the selected schools, will offer free legal assistant to up-and-coming inventors and entrepreneurs seeking patents and trademarks on their products.  Students, under the guidance of experience intellectual property lawyers and professors, will take on innovative new clients, helping them through the patent application process and advising them on all aspects related to protecting their ideas.

USPTO Deputy Director, Michelle Lee, said in a statement that, “The addition of law schools and students in the program will also increase pro bono representation to American businesses and entrepreneurs, thereby helping ensure they have the resources to grow, create jobs and compete globally.”

Some of the schools selected for the Patent Program include Brooklyn Law School, Lincoln Law School, and Texas AM University School of Law.  Lewis and Clark College School of Law, Northwestern University School of Law, and Southern Methodist University School of Law are among some to join the USPTOs Trademark Program. Students in each program will learn to draft and file applications, while representing their clients and assisting with searches and other IP options.

To learn more about the program, click here.