USPTO Receives Award for Patents for Humanity Initiative

On January 22, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received the National IP and Technology Transfer Policy Award for its Patents for Humanity initiative. The program, designed to encourage the use of patented technology to address humanitarian challenges, was launched in 2012 as a part of a series of Obama administration initiatives to promote game-changing innovations to solve long-standing development challenges.

“We are honored to be recognized for our Patents for Humanity initiative, which recognizes those who use patented technology to aid the less fortunate,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability of technology to transform lives is real and powerful. This program plays a key role in advancing President Obama’s global development agenda.”

The award was presented by the non-profit group Licensing Executives Society International during its annual Global Technology Impact Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

Additional information is available on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Blog.