Trademarks for Humanity to offer public recognition for brand owners
The USPTO wants to honor brand owners who harness the power of trademarks to help solve humanitarian challenges.
The agency’s new Trademarks for Humanity awards program is designed to recognize brand owners who improve the environment through their products and services. Although future iterations will cover different challenges, the inaugural award cycle will focus on the environment.
The Trademarks for Humanity award joins other recent USPTO initiatives—such as the Patents for Humanity Program’s green energy award category; a joint work-sharing program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; expedited examination procedures under the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program; and a partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization’s WIPO GREEN program—designed to address environmental challenges.
Applications for the Trademarks for Humanity award will be accepted from those owning an active U.S. trademark registration and using it in connection with products, services, or business practices that improve the environment. All types of registered marks are eligible, including trademarks, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, or collective membership marks. Winners will receive recognition at a public awards ceremony with the director of the USPTO and will be featured on the USPTO’s website.
The USPTO is accepting applications for the Trademarks for Humanity award through July 14, 2023, or until 200 applications are received, whichever occurs first. For more information about how to apply, visit uspto.gov/ip-policy/trademarks-humanity-awards-program.
