MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Jennifer Rankin Byrne (571) 272-8400 or jennifer.rankin_byrne@uspto.gov

May 9, 2007 #07-16

Independent Inventors Conference Comes to NYC May 12-13 United States Patent and Trademark Office and National Inventors Hall of Fame â Foundation Invite Local Inventors to Learn from Experts and Connect with Fellow Inventors WHO Inventors from the New York City area. Top officials from the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), successful inventors and entrepreneurs. Special guest appearances by the winners and semi-finalists of the Modern Marvels Invent Now® Challenge who were selected from thousands of entries across the country. WHAT New York City Regional Independent Inventors Conference, presented by the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame â Foundation (NIHFF). WHEN Saturday, May 12, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE New York Academy of Sciences 7 World Trade Center, 40th Floor New York, NY 10007-2157 WHY: This conference will offer novice and seasoned inventors alike the rare opportunity to hear from government and industry experts on an array of topics including the basics of protecting your invention, free resources available to inventors, and how to avoid common inventor pitfalls. There will be ample time for attendees to network with experts and fellow inventors. Attendees will also get an up-close look at robots created by New York City area students participating the FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition Science and Technology) program. HOW: More information about the conference and online registration is available at www.USPTO.gov. Media should contact Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov for more information. There is no charge for media to attend the conference.