The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) invite startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to a Midwest Regional Seminar on September 26, 2017 at the MSU Innovation Center in East Lansing, MI.

Representatives from the Midwest Regional USPTO will be on hand to conduct a half-day workshop. This free event will provide valuable information about various types of intellectual property protection, the patent process, and public and private resources available for you.

The Commissioner for Trademarks, Mary Boney Denison, will also be on hand to provide an overview of Trademarks and the process of filing a Trademark application.

Also, representatives of local resources that are available to startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs will also be at the workshop providing valuable information.

There is no fee to register, but space is limited.

For additional information or questions about the conference, please call 313-446-4800 or email the Midwest Regional Office at MidwestRegion@USPTO.GOV.

Agenda

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Registration and Networking

9:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.: Welcoming and Opening Remarks

• Director of the Midwest Regional USPTO, Dr. Christal Sheppard

• Mayor of East Lansing, Mark S. Meadows

9:05 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.: Intellectual Property 101

• Director of the Midwest Regional USPTO, Dr. Christal Sheppard

9:50 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.: Local Resources Forum

• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)

• Michigan SBDC

• Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

10:35 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.: Food and Networking Break

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Trademarks Overview

• Commissioner for Trademarks, Mary Boney Denison

12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Inventor Assistance and Pro Bono Resources

• Michigan Pro Bono Patent Project

1:00 p.m.: Closing Remarks

• Director of the Midwest Regional USPTO, Dr. Christal Sheppard