WASHINGTON - The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a request for comments seeking input on ways to accelerate and incentivize the commercialization of innovation, including green, critical, and emerging technologies. The Office is looking to build on and expand our current initiatives in this space, while collaborating with other agencies or institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), according to the official website of USPTO.

American innovation is a cornerstone of strong, vibrant economy. Bringing emerging and early-stage innovations to the marketplace spurs entrepreneurship and other economic activity, helps create jobs, and contributes to economic prosperity. Intellectual property (IP) plays a key role in the commercialization process, forming the bridge that moves innovation to impact for the benefit of society. Without IP commercialization, we might not have the search algorithm, the artificial lung, or lifesaving COVID-19 therapies.  

“We must encourage and accelerate the transfer of technological advances to the marketplace to grow jobs, lift communities, bolster our national security and solve for local and world problems such as the effects of climate change or future global health challenges,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, added, “We are grateful to our partners at NOAA, NIST, and NSF and others who are working with us with a sense of urgency to strengthen the commercialization of key innovations through intellectual property protection.” 

USPTO looks forward to hearing feedback on challenges and opportunities related to bringing innovation to the marketplace. Submit the comments by May 14, 2024.