USPTO Will Launch PTAB Moot Court Competition
The competition offers law students a chance to practice patent advocacy before federal judges.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Law
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The United States Patent and Trademark Office and Indiana University Maurer School of Law will host a new moot court competition in Spring 2027. Students will compete through written briefs and oral arguments concerning PTAB proceedings.
Why it matters
This competition offers law students a unique opportunity to refine their professional advocacy skills in high-stakes patent proceedings before Administrative Patent Judges.
The competition requires no entry fee and is open to law students nationwide. Finalists will perform their oral arguments at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria.
The players
United States Patent and Trademark Office
This is the federal agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
This institution is a public law school based in Bloomington that is co-hosting the competition.
The details
Participating teams will engage with Administrative Patent Judges to navigate the complexities of PTAB proceedings. Finalist teams will travel to Alexandria, Virginia, to conclude the competition with oral arguments.
Timeline
The PTAB moot court competition will occur in the Spring 2027 semester.
Political Context
Opponents of increased patent litigation complexity argue that initiatives like this perpetuate a system that prioritizes established corporate legal strategies over small inventor accessibility. Critics suggest that focusing on PTAB-specific advocacy may divert educational resources from broader, more foundational legal principles.
Law students across the country can participate in this program without paying an entry fee, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for gaining specialized trial experience. Those who advance to the final rounds in Alexandria will have the unique opportunity to argue directly before federal judges.
The takeaway
This competition provides students with a rare practical look at how the Patent Trial and Appeal Board functions outside of a traditional classroom. Interested students should monitor their law school's career or competition boards for registration deadlines as the Spring 2027 semester approaches.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Law and legal education initiatives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USPTO.
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