To establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and for other purposes.
PL 113-227 (H.R.5108), enacted 12/16/2014

[113th Congress Public Law 227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 2114]]

Public Law 113-227
113th Congress

                                 An Act


 
 To establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Office, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 
                       16, 2014 -  [H.R. 5108]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 35 USC 2 note.>>  USPTO LAW SCHOOL CLINIC 
                              CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Law School Clinic Certification Program of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as implemented by the 
Office, is established as a program entitled the ``Law School Clinic 
Certification Program''. The Program shall allow students enrolled in a 
participating law school's clinic to practice patent and trademark law 
before the Office by drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent or 
trademark applications, or both, on a pro-bono basis for clients that 
qualify for assistance from the law school's 
clinic. <<NOTE: Regulations. Procedures.>>  The Director shall establish 
regulations and procedures for application to and participation in the 
Program. All law schools accredited by the American Bar Association are 
eligible for participation in the Program, and shall be examined for 
acceptance using identical criteria established by the 
Director. <<NOTE: Effective date. Time period.>>  The Program shall be 
in effect for the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

    (b) Report on the Program.--The Director shall, not later than the 
last day of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act, submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on the Program, describing the 
number of law schools and law students participating in the Program, the 
work done through the Program, the benefits of the Program, and any 
recommendations of the Director for modifications to the Program.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the United States 
        Patent and Trademark Office.
            (2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Law School 
        Clinic Certification Program established in subsection (a).

[[Page 128 STAT. 2115]]

            (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Under 
        Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
        the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

    Approved December 16, 2014.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5108:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 113-588 (Comm. on the Judiciary).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            Sept. 15, considered and passed House.
            Dec. 4, considered and passed Senate.

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