USPTO Seeks Comments on Free Legal Clinics for Law Students
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The USPTO is updating its Law School Clinic Certification Program, which lets law students practice patent and trademark law for free under expert supervision. They’re asking for public comments by February 20, 2026, before sending the updated info to the budget office. This affects law schools, students, and clients who get free legal help, with no new fees involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Continued Pro Bono IP Clinic Access
The USPTO is renewing and revising the Law School Clinic Certification Program that lets law students practice patent and trademark law under a faculty supervisor and provide pro bono services to applicants who lack financial resources. Currently, 74 law schools participate in the program, and the Agency says there are no new fees associated with the collection. Public comments on the renewal are due by February 20, 2026.
Time and Cost Burden Estimates
The USPTO estimates this information collection will involve 951 annual respondents, 1,025 annual responses, 1,330 total annual burden hours, and an estimated total annual respondent hourly cost burden of $75,298. Examples given include 830 student applications (0.5 hours each) and 74 clinics filing semi-annual reports (two reports per year at 5 hours each).
No Filing Fees; Small Postage Cost
The USPTO states there are no filing fees, capital start-up costs, or recordkeeping costs for this collection. The only non-hour cost estimated is postage for mailed submissions, which the Agency estimates at $61 total per year (five mailed submissions at $12.10 each).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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