For Our Department of Defense Inventors

1. What documents are necessary to submit an Invention Disclosure?

   DA4734-R Invention Disclosure
   http://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A4734_R.pdf

   DA2871-R Invention of Rights Questionnaire
   http://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A2871_R.pdf

   Please Note: If the inventor desires to assign rights to the Government, they only need to complete page 1 of the DA 2871-R. If the inventor wishes to petition for retention of rights, the entire form must be completed and accompanied by a job description.

   *All Invention Disclosures should be submitted to the coordinating ORTA's subordinate laboratory.

2. What is the IEC?

   The IEC is the Invention Evaluation Committee that consists of representatives from each lab and research area, the Command patent attorneys and agent, and the Command ORTA. The IEC uses subject matter experts (SME) to review all inventions that are disclosed to the JAG Office. The review process may take several months before the invention is evaluated by the IEC and a decision made on whether or not to file a patent application.

   For further information on the IEC review process, an inventor can email the Patent Attorneys or Patent Agent.

3. Once a patent is issued on my invention, how can I see it?

   The Command patent attorney will inform you if a patent is issued and provide instructions for viewing it on the U.S. Patent Office website. It can take several years for a patent to issue.

   To search issued U.S. patents when you know the Patent Number:

   1. Go to www.uspto.gov, in the "Patents" box on the left side of the screen and select "Search" on the left side of the screen
   2. Then select the link for "Patent Number Search" under the "Searching Full Text Patents (Since 1976)" heading
   3. Type in the patent serial number in the text box that appears. The format should be as in the following example "6,543,210," then select search
   4. If your search is successful, a link to the patent should appear. A text based version of the patent will appear but you can click on the "Images" button at the top of the screen to see the patent as it is actually published by the patent office, along with any drawings that may be part of the patent. If you cannot access the Images, you may need to download and install the appropriate software that the PTO references. Click on the red "Help" link, then click on "How to Access Patent Full-page Images" for guidance.

   To search issued U.S. patents when you do not know the Patent Number:

   1. Go to www.uspto.gov, select the "Patents" button on the left side of the screen
   2. Then select "Search" on the left side of the screen
   3. Select "Quick Search" under the "Searching Full Text Patents (Since 1976)" heading
   4. You will be presented with two boxes into which you can insert search terms of your choice. There will also be two field boxes that you can use to designate the sections of the patent to search. Examples:
      1. If you are looking for patents listing a particular inventor, choose the "Inventor Name" field. You may have to try an inventor's name with or without middle initials or middle names. You might also have to try an inventor's name with or without the first name.
      2. If you are uncertain whether a specific term might be in the patent, the best field to choose is "Description/Specification." The program will look for the term anywhere in the narrative part of the patent.
      3. If your search on those fields and terms is successful, the program will pull up one or more U.S. patent numbers and titles. You can click on the link that appears most closely related to your search to view that patent. A text based version of the patent will appear but you can click on the "Images" button at the top of the screen to see the patent as it is actually published by the patent office, along with any drawings that may be part of the patent. If you cannot access the Images, you may need to download and install the appropriate software that the PTO references. Click on the red "Help" link, then click on "How to Access Patent Full-page Images" for guidance.
4. Patent Office Information

   Patent Attorney (301)619-7808

5. How can I reach the ORTA of my subordinate laboratory?

   USAMRDC (301)619-6664

   TATRC (301)619-4016

   USAARL (334)255-6907

   USACEHR (301)619-7576

   USAISR (210)916-2448

   USAMRIID (301)619-6886

   USARICD (410)436-1339

   USARIEM (508)233-4270

   USAMDAA (301)619-4712

   WRAIR (301)319-9736

   WRAMC (202)782-7867