Dykema Receives 2020 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate from the USPTO

Dykema is proud to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted the firm a 2020 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate, which recognizes individuals and law firms that assist financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses seeking patents. Dykema is one of only 28 corporations to receive the 2020 certificate.

Dykema is being recognized for contributing more than 80 hours of service to the LegalCORPS Inventor Assistance Program in 2020. The LegalCORPS Inventor Assistance Program is the first program in the U.S. to provide free legal representation to low-income inventors seeking to patent their inventions with the USPTO. Additionally, Dykema alumnus Steve Hennessy is one of 101 individuals to receive recognition from the USPTO. Hennessy provided more than 50 hours of pro bono service to LegalCORPS in 2020 while still with the firm.

“I want to thank all of the recipients for their commitment to helping under-resourced inventors and small businesses in what was an especially challenging year for so many,” said Drew Hirshfeld, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “The work of these practitioners helped contribute to the 273 pro bono patent applications we received in 2020. Because of their service, the innovation economy is stronger.”

Established under the 2011 America Invents Act, the USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono Program is a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that match volunteer practitioners with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses for the purpose of securing patent protection. Each regional program provides services for residents of one or more states.