The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Sodexo are proud to present the 16th Annual Independent Inventors Conference at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Va., August 15-16, 2014.

Top USPTO officials, successful inventors, and intellectual property experts will be on hand to provide practical advice and information for both novice and seasoned inventors.

Keynote presenters include:

Peggy Focarino Commissioner for Patents, USPTO

Andy Faile Deputy Commissioner for Patent Operations

Bruce Kisliuk Deputy Commissioner for Patent Administration

Woody Norris Serial inventor of electronics tools and cutting edge sonic equipment

Our federal panel will consist of presenters from the U.S. Copyright Office, Office of Small Business Development Centers, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership. A pre-conference workshop on August 14 is included with your registration and covers the basics of the patent process, preparing you to get the most out of your conference experience.

Space is limited, so register early. The registration fee of $90 per person includes all sessions and presentations, morning and afternoon refreshments, lunch on Friday and Saturday, and a networking reception on Friday evening.

Registration is now open. For additional information about registration, topics, lodging, and directions, visit our website at www.uspto.gov/inventors/events/Alexandria_Main.jsp or call 866.767.3848.

Register Now!! SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE:

Patents Overview Design Applications Claim Drafting for Beginners Advanced Claim Drafting Licensing Trademark Electronic Filing System Trademark Applications Successful Inventors Hands-on Patent Searching Hands-on Trademark Searching One-on-one with the Experts Networking Opportunities for Inventors

Pre-Conference WorkshopAugust 14, 20145-7 p.m.

Conference DatesAugust 15-16, 2014

Registration Fee$90

uspto.GOV