Patents 4 Partnerships MarketplaceMay 4, 2020

The USPTO recently rolled out a new IP Marketplace Platform called “Patents 4 Partnerships” (https://developer.uspto.gov/ipmarketplace/search/patents). According to a press release and information released by the USPTO, the marketplace is an attempt to bring together those who have technologies and want to make them available for licensing and those who have an interest in and the ability to commercialize the technologies.

In short, the marketplace allows inventors/applicants to list U.S. Patents and Publications for licensing. The licensable technologies will be listed in a searchable database that includes several searchable parameters (e.g., technology, issue date, publication date, keyword, owner, inventor name, etc.). The listings can be expanded for more information, and a link is provided that will direct a user to a page with licensing information and contact information.

The initial release of the marketplace is limited to technologies related “to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19”. This includes personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfectants, ventilators, testing equipment and components thereof.

While the list is not considered to be an all-encompassing list of patents and publications related to COVID-19, it is a step for the public to utilize inventions for a true greater good to combat the virus.

It is believed that this is the first step of the USPTO in organizing IP marketplaces to show the availability of all patents and publications, and is being used as a test case for all technologies, which may later be added. “Patents 4 Partnerships is a meeting place that enables patent owners who want to license their IP rights to connect with the individuals and businesses who can turn those rights into solutions for our health and wellbeing,” said Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “With an initial focus on COVID-19, the platform shows how innovation can contribute to the nation’s response to this critical health emergency.”

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