The Pro Se Assistance Program is dedicated to help independent inventors and small businesses meet their goal of protecting valuable intellectual property. In filing a patent application and paying required fees, the USPTO provides forms and an electronic filing tool.Schedule a Free Consultation online or call 952-426-0314 or 605-334-1571. University patent filing process and responsibilities: Learn what to expect after we file a provisional patent application. (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). The first step is determining whether there is another invention like the invention that has been publicly disclosed. You submit an easy questionnaire with some information about your invention. University of Minnesota policy requires researchers to report inventions that may have commercial or public value. If you need free patent filing assistance in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, you can find it at the Patent and Trademark Resource Center. In the above chart, this means that you cannot file for patent protection more than one year from that first public disclosure.