USPTO Institutes Patents for Humanity Pilot Program

Patents for Humanity is a voluntary awards competition to recognize patent owners who apply their patented technology to address humanitarian needs.  Per the USPTO, the program advances the president’s global development agenda by rewarding companies who bring life-saving technologies to underserved people of the world.  Participants describe in their applications how they’ve used their patented technology or products to address humanitarian challenges.  Judges will choose winners in four categories: medical technology, food and nutrition, clean technology and information technology.  Awardees will receive a certificate redeemable to accelerate select matters before the USPTO and public recognition for their efforts, including an award ceremony at the USPTO.  Per the USPTO, the award certificate can be redeemed to accelerate: the prosecution of a patent application, an ex parte reexamination proceeding, and an appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals regarding a twice rejected claim in a pending patent application, including reissue applications.