Jessica Van Dalen Connects With Inventor Via New Maurer School Website

An online service that links independent inventors and IP attorneys willing to provide pro bono work was unveiled on September 1—and Faegre Baker Daniels has already taken advantage of the opportunity. As described in The Indiana Lawyer, the online hub—an initiative of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law called Patent Connect for Hoosiers—works “in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office … [to help] independent inventors who may be at a disadvantage in trying to get the money together to pay for the patent application.” Inventors submit their product through www.patentconnect.org, attorneys volunteer their services and the website serves as a digital matchmaker. Jessica Van Dalen, FaegreBD associate, has taken on a new client through the site and has already filed a patent application.

“It was very fulfilling,” Van Dalen said. “This inventor was so excited that someone cared about their invention and cared enough to help them through the process. It’s very exciting to see how enthusiastic they are.”

Van Dalen also said she and other members of the firm's IP team plan to continue the pro bono representation.