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Jeffrey McKinney

Groundbreaking Partnership Aimed To Bolster Black Entrepreneurship And Protect Intellectual Property Rights

Pictured L-R Derrick Brent, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office,, and Ken L. Harris, President/CEO, National Business League (Photo Credit: Michael Cleveland/USPTO)

The National Business League (NBL) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are uniting in a historic move to advance and empower Black businesses. 

The partnership stems from a memorandum of understanding that both sides just signed,

to help Black-owned enterprises gain access to vital resources, programs, and initiatives facilitating patent and trademark registration.
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The Tuskegee, Alabama-based NBL calls itself the first and largest trade association for Black businesses in

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the United States. It reports a membership of over 120,000 nationwide and globally.  The USPTO is the federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks and is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, per its website.

NBL President and CEO Dr. Ken L. Harris stated, “This collaboration underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering Black entrepreneurship and safeguarding intellectual property rights. Its significance is profound, considering the historical barriers that have deprived many Black innovators of access, opportunity, and resources to trademark or patent their groundbreaking contributions in this nation.”

On February 1, 2024, the NBL and USPTO launched the inaugural Black Innovators series for Black History Month, highlighting significant inventors past, present, and the next generation. The daily series showcased innovators like Dr. George Washington Carver, Madam CJ Walker, Elijah McCoy, Patricia E. Bath, and Dr. Charles Drew, among others.

Derrick Brent, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO emphasized, “This groundbreaking collaboration launching the Black Innovators Series and our Memorandum of Understanding with the NBL exemplifies our unyielding dedication to advancing equity and empowerment within the realm of innovation.”

He added, “By celebrating the limitless ingenuity of Black inventors, we not only pay homage to their enduring legacy but also forge pathways for future generations of trailblazers to thrive and inspire.”

The press release states “Further, this collaboration underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering Black entrepreneurship and safeguarding intellectual property rights, marking a milestone in its 124-year history. This trademark registration solidifies the NBL’s national presence and safeguards its brand integrity, offering a host of protections and advantages, including legal protection, enhanced brand recognition, market expansion, and licensing opportunities nationwide.”

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