Sec. WWW-1. 10 MRSA c. 317 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 317
MAINE PATENT PROGRAM
The Maine Patent Program, referred to in this chapter as the "program," is administered by the University of Maine System, Center for Advanced Technology Law and Management. The program's purpose is to support the commercialization and manufacturing of innovations in the State by providing education and assistance with the patent process of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to companies, inventors and entrepreneurs in the State.
1. Program components. The program must:
A. Provide at least 4 workshops each year on general topics concerning the patent process of the United States Patent and Trademark Office;
B. Provide at least 4 workshops each year on focused topics and specific training concerning the patent process of the United States Patent and Trademark Office;
C. Conduct innovation screening of 50 to 100 preliminary potential patent applications and patent searches on 25 to 50 potential patent applications each year;
D. Prepare 10 to 20 patent applications per year;
E. Provide licensing assistance; and
F. Provide other assistance concerning the patent process of the United States Patent and Trademark Office as needed.
2. Applicant's costs and duties. An applicant accepted by the program shall pay the costs of the patent search and opinion and for patent prosecution if the final product is manufactured or licensed out of state. An applicant shall pay to the program a reasonable percentage of the royalties for any successful innovation patented through the program.
3. Staffing. The University of Maine System, Center for Advanced Technology Law and Management shall hire a director for the program. The director must be a professional who:
A. Is a registered patent attorney or patent agent;
B. Has experience in commercialization, such as working as an in-house patent professional for a large company or an academic or nonprofit technology transfer operation;
C. Has relevant experience working directly with manufacturers;
D. Has relevant experience working directly with entrepreneurial startups;
E. Has relevant experience working directly with independent inventors;
F. Has experience with equity and royalty offerings;
G. Has experience with successful licensing; and
H. Has experience in educating the general public through workshops, seminars and continuing education courses.
4. Fund. The Maine Patent Fund, referred to in this chapter as the "fund," is established as a revolving, nonlapsing fund to supplement the Maine Patent Program. All money from royalties received from applicants pursuant to this chapter must be credited to the fund. Money in the fund not currently needed to meet expenses of the program must be deposited with the Treasurer of State to the credit of the fund and may be invested as provided by law. Interest on these investments must be credited to the fund. Money in the fund may only be expended in accordance with allocations approved by the Legislature.
Sec. WWW-2. Report. By December 1, 2001, the University of Maine System, Center for Advanced Technology Law and Management shall submit to the joint standing committee or joint select committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over research and development matters a report on the performance of the Maine Patent Program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, chapter 317.
Sec. WWW-3. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2000-01
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
Maine Patent Program
All Other $300,000
Provides funds for staff and related operational costs for the Maine Patent Program to be administered by the Center for Advanced Technology Law and Management at the University of Southern Maine, including funds to conduct workshops and provide technical assistance to help state inventors.
Sec. WWW-4. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2000-01
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
Maine Patent Program
All Other $500
Provides for the allocation of funds to authorize initial expenditures from the Maine Patent Fund to be administered by the Center for Advanced Technology Law and Management at the University of Southern Maine.
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