Other resources

The best resource for new inventors is the USPTO. The USPTO Web site offers a multitude of resources for inventors seeking a patent.

The USPTO has established the Office of Independent Inventor Programs to meet the special needs of independent inventors. The OIIP offers educational and outreach programs, either alone or in conjunction with local Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries, independent inventor organizations and Small Business Development Centers. These programs cover all aspects of the patent filing and prosecution process and can be arranged for groups or organizations by contacting OIIP at the address, phone and fax numbers or e-mail listed below:

Mail Stop 24

Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

P.O. Box 1450

Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Telephone: 703.306.5568

Fax: 703.306.5570

E-mail: usptoinfo@uspto.gov

The USPTO Contact Center may also be contacted for general information about filing a disclosure document, a provisional patent application or a regular, nonprovisional patent application. The Contact Center also offers copies of USPTO brochures. The telephone number is 800.786.9199; TTY: 703.305.7785.

Additional information on the patent process can be obtained by telephone through the USPTO Information Line and Patent Assistance Center.

Telephone: 800.PTO.9199

Fax: 703.305.7786

TTY: 703.305.7785

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