The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is launching the special category Patents for Humanity Program for Inventions that address the COVID-19 pandemic. This will provide business incentives for patient applicants, holders, and licensees whose inventions track prevent, diagnose, or treat COVID-19.
Patents for Humanity Award winners will receive a certificate to accelerate USPTO processing for one eligible matter as well as public recognition for their work. The certificate has more options for use than those given in previous competitions.
Under the Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act, award winners may transfer their acceleration certificates to third parties, including for compensation. Winners can now leverage the acceleration certificate to obtain funds to help transform their inventions into deliverable goods and services.
USPTO is now accepting applications for the Patents for Humanity COVID-19 category. For more information on how to apply, go to https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/patents-humanity.