Where Should Patent Help Desks Pop Up in the Wild West?
Published Date: 10/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The Patent and Trademark Office wants your ideas on where to open new community outreach offices in the eight states once served by the Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office. These new offices will help local inventors and businesses get better support, thanks to a law passed in 2022. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to send them by November 28, 2025—no public meetings, just your written comments!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Required: Four COOs by December 29, 2027
A law requires the USPTO to establish at least four Community Outreach Offices (COOs) within five years of the Act, i.e., no later than December 29, 2027. These offices are meant to increase outreach and help individual inventors, small businesses, veterans, low-income people, students, and rural communities learn about patents and available resources.
COOs Targeted to Eight Rocky Mountain States
The USPTO is seeking input on placing one or more COOs in the eight-state area formerly served by the Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office: Idaho (ID), Utah (UT), Montana (MT), Wyoming (WY), Colorado (CO), North Dakota (ND), South Dakota (SD), and Nebraska (NE). If selected, these local offices would provide closer support to inventors and small businesses in those states.
Site Selection Will Use Research and Ecosystem Metrics
The USPTO says it will evaluate COO locations using quantitative classes of data, at a minimum: (D1) research activity and graduate programs that lead to innovation, (D2) availability of commercialization and business development resources, and (D3) ability to support all inventors. These criteria will guide which communities are chosen for COOs.
COOs Will Provide Outreach, Education, and Partnerships
The COOs are intended to provide outreach, education, and customer service; partner with local community groups, colleges, research institutions, and businesses; and educate prospective inventors about the patent system and resources like the patent pro bono program.
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