In a significant development for intellectual property access in underserved areas, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has officially designated Tuskegee University and the University of the Virgin Islands as Patent and Trademark Resource Centers. This brings the total number of PTRCs across the nation and its territories to 100. These institutions are now among seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities to hold this designation.
PTRCs play a vital role in fostering innovation by providing free resources and assistance to inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Each year, they help thousands navigate the complexities of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets through specialized librarian support, workshops, and consultations. Last year, PTRCs aided nearly 6,000 individuals in their innovation journeys.
The expansion of the PTRC network reflects the USPTO’s commitment to equitable access to intellectual property resources, particularly in communities where entrepreneurship can significantly enhance local economies. A 2020 study highlighted that startups securing their first patent could increase their workforce by up to 16 and increase sales by $10.6 million over five years.
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director Kathi Vidal emphasized the importance of this initiative. “A 20% increase in PTRCs across the country in over a year – including a seven-fold increase in the number of PTRCs at HBCUs – is proof of the desire for more communities to experience the tremendous economic and societal impacts innovation and entrepreneurship can have, and the incredible benefit of PTRCs’ free assistance to current and aspiring creator.”
Paving the Way
For Tuskegee University, the PTRC designation is a milestone made possible by the dedication of alumna Charesse Evans, a senior advisor at the USPTO. “As a patent attorney and intellectual property professional with over two decades of experience, I am incredibly proud to have played a role in helping Tuskegee University achieve official designation as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center,” said Evans. “It is an absolute honor to witness my alma mater become an integral part of this essential ecosystem.”
Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark A. Brown expressed pride in the university’s new role. “This designation is another opportunity for the university and its library professionals to support the geniuses in this area and the nation who are dedicated to solving problems and creating things to enhance or simplify our daily lives,” she said.
Both institutions will provide essential resources and training to help aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs navigate the intellectual property system, ultimately paving the way for greater economic prosperity in their communities.