Intellectual Property Webinar Series: Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will co-host the second of three complementary three part webinar series to help business owners understand the intellectual property process, starting on Wednesday, August 12.

This webinar series will teach attendees how to electronically file a copyright, patent, and trademark application. Join us as we provide minority business owners and innovators with a wealth of information, resources, and tools to protect and promote their intellectual property. Get answers from USPTO and Copyright Office intellectual property experts Sylvester Simpkins, Craig Morris, and Jeffrey Wong.

While there is no cost for the next USPTO-MBDA webinar, virtual space is limited, so you’ll want to register as soon as you can.

Filing a Copyright Application Electronically – August 12 - 1 p.m. ET

Webinar overview: Learn how to register your original literary, dramatic, musical expressions and artistic works electronically using the Copyright Office’s website to get a lower filing fee and quicker processing time.

Presenter Sylvester Simpkins is a twenty-three year veteran of the United States Copyright Office. He is currently a Senior Information Specialist in the Public Information Office. He provides copyright information concerning registration procedures, copyright law and the regulations that may apply.   

Filing a Trademark Application Electronically - August 13 – 1 p.m. ET

Webinar overview: Learn how to use the Trademark Electronic Filing System (TEAS) to submit a trademark application directly through the USPTO website, saving yourself both time and money over a paper filing.

Presenter Craig Morris works within the Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks at the USPTO. Currently, he is the Managing Attorney for Trademark Outreach and spearheads efforts for increased USPTO educational activities in the area of trademark fundamentals. For 14 years prior, he was the Managing Attorney for the Trademark Electronic Application System, where he focused on making the Trademark operation a total e-government environment. Craig has been with the USPTO since 1983, previously serving as an examining attorney, senior attorney, and managing attorney.

Filing a Patent Application Electronically - August 14 – 1 p.m. ET

Webinar overview: Filing patent applications electronically via the USPTO’s EFS-Web (electronic filing system) is safe, simple, and secure – and provides applicants with many benefits.

Presenter Jeff Wong is the Project Manager for EFS-Web, USPTO’s patent application filing system. In this role for 7 years, he is responsible for maintaining and enhancing EFS-Web capabilities. Jeff has over 17 years of experience in the Information Technology field, which includes project management, software engineering, information security, and e-Commerce development. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Protecting and promoting our idea-driven economy is essential to economic growth. Register today to find resources to protect your innovations, spur creativity, and market products safely at home and abroad.