Immediately after taking office, President Trump summarily halted most diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the federal government. But the Administration continues to support the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office’s National Strategy for Inclusive Innovation which it sees as critical to maintaining America's competitiveness throughout the world. The Strategy, announced last year, aims to grow the economy, create quality jobs, and address global challenges by increasing participation in STEM, inventorship, and innovation among youth and those from historically underrepresented and under-resourced communities.
The protection of intellectual property has been at the forefront of advancement in science and technology, but opportunities to innovate have been historically unequal. While more women are entering and staying active in the patent system, only 12.8% of all inventors named on U.S. patents are women. At the same time, a Harvard University study revealed that white Americans are three times more likely to invent than Black Americans, and that children born to parents in the top 1% of income earners are 10 times more likely to become inventors than those from families with below-median income.
In the USPTO’s effort to advance the mission of inclusive innovation, it has outlined a comprehensive approach for the federal government, academic institutions, and private industry to share and implement best practices that inspire and support a diverse population of problem-solvers.
The Strategy is built upon four “cornerstones,” each of which is critical to maximizing American prosperity. They include:
The Strategy complements the National Entrepreneurship Strategy recently released by the Economic Development Administration’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship that includes recommendations for how the U.S. Department of Commerce, the federal government, and the private sector can foster an entrepreneurship ecosystem that ensures the United States leads in critical technology innovation.
The USPTO’s 2019 Report to Congress as part of the SUCCESS Act of 2018 required the agency to identify publicly available data on the patenting activity of underrepresented groups and the benefits of increasing this activity. As part of that report, the USPTO pledged to create a council for innovation inclusiveness consisting of representatives from the general public, private corporations, academia, nonprofit organizations, and the government. This council would help develop a national strategy for promoting and increasing the participation of underrepresented groups as inventor-patentees, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders.
Since then, the USPTO formed the Council for Inclusive Innovation, or CI2. In collaboration with CI2, the USPTO has launched initiatives such as a First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Program that offers extra support for inventors new to the patent system; an IP Champions program that leverages our nationwide workforce to provide IP assistance and training within their communities; a diversity information platform that provides data-driven analyses and a one-stop shop for discussing and sharing best practices; the expansion of our nationwide pro bono programs providing free legal assistance to under-resourced inventors; and a paid innovation internship program for college students from underrepresented communities.
The USPTO continues to work toward greater equity in inventorship by fostering more inclusive innovation throughout the United States. So should each of us. Let’s do all we can to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation for those who struggle in their pursuit of the American dream.
If you would like to explore how your organization or community can drive positive social change through innovation and entrepreneurship, please feel free to contact Marc Lane in confidence at 312/800-372-1040 or mlane@marcjlane.com.