The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a new web-based intellectual property marketplace platform, Patents 4 Partnerships, to provide the public with a user-friendly, searchable repository of patents and published patent applications related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are indicated as available for licensing.

“Patents 4 Partnerships is a meeting place that enables patent owners who want to license their IP rights to connect with the individuals and businesses who can turn those rights into solutions for our health and well-being,” said USPTO director Andrei Iancu. “With an initial focus on COVID-19, the platform shows how innovation can contribute to the nation’s response to this critical health emergency.” 

Innovation and intellectual property initiatives are more important than ever during this ongoing pandemic. The new platform will provide the voluntary licensing and commercialization of innovations in a variety of key technologies and help distribute valuable patent information. The hope is that it will help to bring to the marketplace new products and technologies for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of COVID-19. 

Patents 4 Partnerships allows users to search and sort information in a variety of easy-to-use ways, including by keyword, inventor name, assignee and issue date. Users are invited to send comments through the link provided on the main page of the platform. IP owners are invited to submit additional technologies that they believe are related to the COVID-19 crisis. See the full press release on USPTO.