The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched a new platform called “Patents 4 Partnerships.”

The platform “brings together those who have technologies and want to make them available for licensing and those who have an interest in and the ability to commercialize the technologies.”

Although the platform will apparently eventually be open to all types of technologies,

the initial release of the IP Marketplace Platform focuses on listing technologies related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, including, for example, personal protective equipment, disinfectants, ventilators, testing equipment and components thereof.

Two hundred and nineteen patents are listed on the platform as of this writing, including patents issued as recently as May. The platform was pre-populated with patents from other databases, and patent owners can also list their patents using this simple submission form.

Unlike other marketplace website hosts, the USPTO is not taking a share of any transactions made using the platform.

The site’s FAQ is rather sparse, with only one question at the moment: “Is there someone I could contact for technical assistance using the platform?”

Other COVID-19-related steps taken by the USPTO are listed here. These include a COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program for small and micro entities announced in May.

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