by Kathleen Lynch | Aug 19, 2014 | Entrepreneur, Patent
I am taking a break this week in my usual focus on intellectual property law, to give a shout out to the NCLEAP program here in North Carolina. I preface this by disclosing that I am an NCLEAP volunteer and sit on their steering committee.
NCLEAP (North Carolina Lawyer Entrepreneurial Assistance Program) is about a 7 year program that was established by North Carolina lawyers to provide pro bono assistance to low income entrepreneurs. Since its inception, it has assisted over 1000 entrepreneurs and small businesses. Volunteer lawyers from across the state provide low income entrepreneurs with pro bono corporate and intellectual property law advice and other legal matters relevant to a start up venture.
NCLEAP relies on donations to operate. If you are a lawyer licensed to practice in North Carolina, consider donating your time and expertise to help out a new business or entrepreneur. If you like the NCLEAP program, consider making a donation.
by Kathleen Lynch | Jul 15, 2014 | Entrepreneur, Inventor, Small Business, Trademark
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is hosting its 16th Annual Independent Inventor Conference on August 15-16, 2014 at its offices in Arlington Virginia. The conference will enable independent inventors and small business owners to learn about the patent system, as well as network with other entrepreneurs and inventors.
Senior level officials from the USPTO and others will present information on patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property (IP) matters. In addition, experienced business owners and inventors will relate their personal perspectives in bringing their dreams to market. Governmental and business development entities will discuss commercial best practices and the various resources offered by their organizations. Each attendee will have an exclusive opportunity to meet one-on-one with a USPTO expert or IP professional of his or her choice, as well as hear keynote addresses from major figures in the entrepreneurial world.
Attendees will also be able to choose from a variety of panels and breakout sessions that address specific intellectual property topics relevant to the modern inventor and small business owner. These sessions include hands-on workshops on patent and trademark application filing, prior art searching, and recent changes in legislation that affect business owners and inventors, among many other topics.
So if you are in the DC area, this looks like a great event for any entrepreneur or small business owner.
