Innowacje i własność intelektualna · 3.04.2014

Patents for Humanity Program

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) recently concluded a twelve-month pilot program called Patents for Humanity to incentivize the use of patented technologies for humanitarian purposes, culminating with an awards ceremony in April 2013. Following the success of this pilot, the USPTO is continuing Patents for Humanity as an annual awards competition. The USPTO will announce an application period each year of the competition. For 2014, applications will be accepted from April 15 to September 15, 2014. Participants will submit program applications describing what actions they have taken with their patented technology to either address humanitarian needs among an impoverished population or further research by others on humanitarian technologies. Applications will be accepted in five categories: (1) Medicine, (2) Nutrition, (3) Sanitation, (4) Household Energy, and (5) Living Standards. Independent judges will review the program applications, and Federal employees from other agencies will recommend awards based on these reviews. For the 2014 competition, two types of awards will be made: Patents for Humanity Awards and honorable mentions. The Patents for Hum