The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments on its information collection for the Patents for Humanity Program and Trademarks for Humanity Program, which are initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of patents and trademarks to address humanitarian issues. The Patents for Humanity Program incentivizes patent holders to distribute technology for humanitarian purposes, offering award certificates that can accelerate patent matters. In 2023, the USPTO introduced the Trademarks for Humanity Program, which recognizes brand owners using trademarks to tackle societal challenges. Public comments are invited on these programs to help the USPTO assess and reduce reporting burdens.
Simple Explanation
The USPTO is asking people what they think about two programs where inventors and brand owners can be rewarded for using their ideas to help people in need. They want to know if filling out the paperwork for these programs is too hard or takes too much time.