Pub. L. 113-227 - An act to establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and for other purposes.

113th Congress

SECTION 1. USPTO LAW SCHOOL CLINIC CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

(a) The Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as implemented by the Office, is established as a program entitled the “Law School Clinic Certification Program”. The Program shall allow students enrolled in a participating law school’s clinic to practice patent and trademark law before the Office by drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent or trademark applications, or both, on a pro-bono basis for clients that qualify for assistance from the law school’s clinic.Regulations.Procedures. The Director shall establish regulations and procedures for application to and participation in the Program. All law schools accredited by the American Bar Association are eligible for participation in the Program, and shall be examined for acceptance using identical criteria established by the Director.Effective date.Time period. The Program shall be in effect for the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) The Director shall, not later than the last day of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the Program, describing the number of law schools and law students participating in the Program, the work done through the Program, the benefits of the Program, and any recommendations of the Director for modifications to the Program.

(c) In this section:

(c)(1) The term “Office” means the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

(c)(2) The term “Program” means the Law School Clinic Certification Program established in subsection (a).

(c)(3) The term “Director” means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5108:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):

Sept. 15, considered and passed House.

Dec. 4, considered and passed Senate.