Patent Basics

Learn about the difference and use of both provisional patent applications and non-provisional patent applications in this patent basics session. A USPTO expert will demystify the patent process, including the role of the U.S. patent examiner and what to expect when working with the USPTO. Information regarding a number of patent prosecution programs and initiatives available to applicants will also be provided.

Stephen (Steve) Koziol is the Acting Regional Director of the Western Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office and oversees outreach operations for all the USPTO regional offices. Mr. Koziol joined the USPTO in 2007 as a patent examiner, and has managed teams of examiners in the computer graphics and digital imaging fields. Prior to his move to the West Coast, Mr. Koziol worked in the Rocky Mountain regional office of the USPTO in Denver, CO, where he led the design and implementation of various intellectual property outreach and education programs. He has also focused on the development of patent-specific programs within the USPTO, including the Post-Grant Outcomes program, AIA First Inventor to File implementation, AIPLA Partnering in Patents, and patent operations cost and fee modeling.

Mr. Koziol received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.