Georgia Lawyers for the Arts – Patent Pro Bono Program Support Request

Meredith, a white woman with brown hair, wears a bright orange blouse and a black jacket.Erica, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white blouse and navy blazer.

By Meredith Ragains and Erica Rogers

For the past six years, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts (GLA) has partnered with the North Carolina Bar Foundation to offer a crucial patent pro bono program for low-income inventors and small businesses in our state. This cross-state partnership, which operates under the Georgia PATENTS program and in collaboration with the USPTO, has been a lifeline for NC residents. GLA handles all the behind-the-scenes work, from vetting clients to preparing their cases, making it easier for the Bar Foundation to find a volunteer attorney to help. This valuable program has successfully provided legal assistance to many North Carolina inventors who otherwise couldn’t afford it.

Unfortunately, a recent cut in funding from the USPTO has put the future of this program at risk. We need your help to keep this vital service going. We’re asking for your support in two ways: financial assistance to help with administrative costs and, most importantly, volunteers to take on cases. Please consider lending your expertise to a deserving inventor in need. Your time and knowledge can make a real difference in helping an individual or small business succeed! To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Kelly Bray.

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