Resources for Individual Inventors

Goodhue, Coleman & Owens, P.C. primarily serves businesses, funded startups, universities and research institutions, and in-house IP teams. We accept a limited number of matters for individual inventors, and we do not provide idea evaluation, invention promotion, prototyping, licensing-search, or funding assistance.

If you are an independent inventor exploring how to protect an invention, the organizations below offer reliable, free or low-cost starting points:

Free and low-cost help

• USPTO Inventors Assistance Center — free help from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on filing procedures, forms, and general questions about the patent process.
• Patent Pro Bono Program — a USPTO-coordinated program matching financially under-resourced inventors with volunteer patent attorneys at no charge for attorney fees.
• Law School Clinic Certification Program — law school IP clinics where supervised students prepare and file patent and trademark applications for clients at reduced or no cost.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) — free business counseling on turning an invention into a business, including planning, funding, and commercialization.
• USPTO Inventor & Entrepreneur Resources — guides, training, and regional office programs for first-time filers.

Also be careful of invention promotion scams. The USPTO publishes scam-prevention guidance and a list of published complaints against invention promoters.

When your project grows

If your invention becomes the foundation of a funded company, or your business is ready to invest in an IP portfolio, we would be glad to talk. Request an initial consultation.