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Free legal service for low income inventors
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Free legal service for low income inventors

Phone number
(415) 775-7200
Category
Auto tags
legal
low income
inventors
USPTO Program
pro bono
small businesses
Eligibility
Inventors in CA, HI, AK, OR, or NV with gross household income under 3× federal poverty level (~$47,880/yr for 1; ~$99,000/yr for family of 4 in 2026). Must have an actual invention and complete a free 39-min USPTO training video.
Auto Summary
Free patent legal help through the California Inventors Assistance Program (CIAP), run by California Lawyers for the Arts under the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program. A volunteer patent attorney handles your matter with legal fees waived. Open to inventors in CA, HI, AK, OR, and NV whose gross household income is under 3× the federal poverty level (~$47,880/yr for 1 person, ~$99,000/yr for a family of 4 in 2026). You still pay USPTO filing fees yourself. Applicants must finish a free ~39-minute USPTO training video before being matched. Call (415) 775-7200. Verified 2026-05-30.
Value
$
Espanol
Servicio legal gratuito para inventores de bajos ingresos - El Programa de Asistencia para Inventores de California (CIAP) ofrece servicios legales gratuitos a inventores independientes y pequenas empresas con recursos limitados. Los honorarios legales son gratuitos, pero otros costos como tarifas de presentacion son responsabilidad del inventor.
URL
https://calawyersforthearts.org/california-inventors-assistance-program-ciap-cla/
Last verified 2026-05-17
If you've invented something and want to patent it but can't afford a patent attorney, the California Inventors Assistance Program (CIAP) matches you with a volunteer patent attorney for free. It's run by California Lawyers for the Arts (CLA) under the USPTO's nationwide Patent Pro Bono Program.

Who qualifies

  • You live in California (or Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, or Nevada — CIAP covers all five states).
  • You have an actual invention you can describe (not just an idea).
  • You can show basic knowledge of the patent system — the program requires you to watch a short USPTO training video first (see below).

What you get

  • A volunteer patent attorney who handles your patent matter with legal fees waived.
  • Help preparing and filing a patent application with the USPTO.
What it does NOT cover: USPTO filing fees, search fees, copying costs, and similar out-of-pocket expenses. You pay those yourself. The attorney won't pay them for you [Source: calawyersforthearts.org/california-inventors-assistance-program-ciap-cla/ (accessed 2026-05-17)].

How to apply

  1. Watch the free USPTO training video. It's 39 minutes, 30 short modules, called Basic Patent Training for Independent Inventors and Small Businesses. You must finish it before CIAP will match you with an attorney. Find it on uspto.gov by searching "Patent Pro Bono training."
  1. Fill out the CIAP Referral Request form at cla.formstack.com/forms/cla_lawyer_referral_request.
  1. Submit financial documents (tax return, pay stubs, or benefits paperwork) so CLA can confirm you meet the income limit.
  1. Wait for a match. CLA reviews your application and refers you to a volunteer attorney. Timing varies depending on attorney availability.

Common pitfalls

  • Don't publicly disclose your invention before applying for a patent. Selling it, showing it at a trade show, or posting about it online can hurt your ability to get a patent.
  • Budget for filing fees. USPTO micro-entity filing fees for a basic utility patent start around a few hundred dollars and can add up. Ask the attorney what to expect.
  • Have a real invention, not just an idea. You need to describe how it works, not just what it does.
  • Be honest about income. CIAP verifies financial information; misrepresenting it disqualifies you.

Where to get help

  • California Lawyers for the Arts (CIAP administrator): (415) 775-7200

Sources

  • California Lawyers for the Arts — CIAP page, accessed 2026-05-17
  • USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program page, last updated 2024-09-06, accessed 2026-05-17
  • HHS 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines, accessed 2026-05-17