The Inventor's Patent Academy 
Sponsored by Qualcomm Technologies

Calling all interested in innovation and entrepreneurship! 

Thursdays, starting September 11th to September 25th, 2025

11:00AM to 1:00PM 

All Modules Will Be Presented On Zoom - Link will be sent to all participants after registration

Instructor: Carlyn Burton, U.S. Patent Attorney and Attorney at Law

Presented by Invent Together, The Inventor's Patent Academy is a free e-learning course created to help people understand patenting and intellectual property (IP), and to equip them to apply for their own patents. It also explores some of the challenges that inventors – particularly women, people of color, individuals with lower incomes, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented inventors – may face and provides tools to overcome them.

Why Take This Course?

• Patents protect inventions so that inventors can focus on their work and be compensated for it. American innovation depends on inventors’ ability to protect their IP. Enhance your knowledge of the patenting process and how to navigate it.
• Learn from law experts, industry experts, and from inventors from historically underrepresented groups about the challenges and successes on their journeys to develop and protect their ideas.
• Take advantage of a free and valuable professional development opportunity and obtain a completion certificate.

Course Outline:

• Learn the ins and outs of the United States patent system.
• Discuss common challenges faced by those underrepresented in the U.S. patent system.
• Understand how inventors of all backgrounds can navigate the patent process.
• Learn the necessary steps to apply for a patent.
• Study real-life situations of past patent applicants to learn from their successes and mistakes.

Syllabus: 

• Before each class, please take a moment to complete each module present in the online portal. 
• To access the online portal, please click here. 

• Module 1 - Welcome To The Patent System

  Your patent education begins with an overview of intellectual property rights. After that, you’ll learn about some challenges that you might face as you pursue your patents — along with strategies, tools, and tips for overcoming them. (Completion time approx. 1.75 hours)

• Module 2 - Understanding Patent Law

  It’s time to dive into the specifics of patents, patent rights, and duration, including the steps of applying for a patent. You’ll also learn about the attorneys, patent agents, and other professionals who play a role in the process. (Completion time approx. 2.5 hours)

• Module 3 - Working With The Patent Office

  This module covers how to write claims, as well as office actions and responses. You’ll also get a breakdown of activities that occur after your patent issues — including freedom to operate, infringement, maintenance fee payments, and possible challenges to a patent. (Completion time approx. 1.75 hours)

Schedule: 

- Complete Module 1 on the online platform before Session 1 begins:

• Session 1 - Thursday, September 11th on Zoom 11AM to 1PM 

- Complete Module 2 on the online platform before Session 2 begins

• Session 2 - Thursday, September 18th on Zoom 11AM to 1PM 

- Complete Module 3 on the online platform before Session 3 begins

• Session 3 - Thursday, September 25th on Zoom 11AM to 1PM

Register now by clicking the blue REGISTER button on the top right corner.

After registering, you will receive the class Zoom link in your inbox! 

For any questions about this series, please email Carola Medina, carola.medina@hccs.edu

Featured in Houston Landing - "With new patent course, HCC is ‘leveling the playing field’ for underserved inventors".