NCPP Patent Pipeline Pledge

PATENT PIPELINE PLEDGE
A commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive pipeline for the patent profession

Creating an equitable and inclusive pipeline for the patent profession.

Watch the inaugural graduation of Patent Pipeline Program.

DIVERSITY PLEDGE

RAISE AWARENESS
- Advocate for greater diversity in the patent profession, which will benefit the overall profession
- Publicly support initiatives, actions, and organizations that promote greater diversity within the profession
- Spotlight diverse individuals within your organization for their accomplishments
- Participate in a conference that promotes greater diversity within the profession

INVEST IN INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
- Annually invest a minimum of $2,000 for growth and development of our Patent Pipeline Program candidates (e.g., patent drafting/prosecution training, patent bar prep, mentoring/tutoring, etc.)
- Commit to ensuring that diverse technical specialists/patent agents at your firm or company are provided with equal access to clients and quality work

INVEST IN FIRM-WIDE GROWTH
- Commit to providing diverse technical specialists/patent agents with mentorship and continued professional development and growth opportunities
- Commit to continued on-the-job training for diverse technical specialists/patent agents and providing them with access to external training/development resources
- Recruit through diverse student groups at colleges and universities

TAKE THE PLEDGE NOW!

DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS

Diversity Champions are those who (1) commit to the Diversity Pledge, and (2) hire a technical specialist or patent agent through the Patent Pipeline program.

Objective Metrics:

Hire 1 or more diverse PPP technical specialists/patent agents over the next 1 year and retain them for at least 2 years (provide support for law school transition where feasible) or facilitate hiring by outside counsel
Increase your patent team diversity, OR maintain at least 50% diversity, over the next 3 years
Increase leadership positions for diverse patent team members, OR maintain at least 50% leadership positions for diverse patent team members over the next 3 years
Corporate entities, financially invest $10,000 to sponsor at least one of your outside patent counsel
Law firms financially invest in patent education and training per PPP candidate to be hired at your firm as a technical specialist/patent agent and partner with at least one corporate client sponsor.
- Early Bird Incentives:
  - $15,000 sponsorship for one (1) student by February 28, 2023.
  - $20,000 sponsorship for one (1) student thereafter. For multiple students, receive a $5,000 discount off one (1) of the multiple students, after the early bird deadline.
Placement priority is given to firms based on their pledge date.
Sponsorships must be made by June 1st, 2023.

DIVERSITY ALLIES

PPP Diversity Allies are those who have committed to the diversity pledge.

TAKE THE PLEDGE NOW!