Ward Quoted in Press Herald Article on End of Maine Patent Program

Jake Ward, the University of Maine’s vice president for innovation and economic development, spoke with the Portland Press Herald for a report about the University of Maine School of Law eliminating the Maine Patent Program, which provides free legal services to inventors and entrepreneurs. Ward was an advocate for the program’s creation 15 years ago, but told the Press Herald the University of Maine School of Law probably wasn’t the best organization to house the program, adding that in tough budget times, organizations must focus on their core constituency, which for the law school doesn’t include inventors and entrepreneurs. Ward said he’s not happy about the cut, but sees it as a potential opportunity for organizations such as the Maine Technology Institute and the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development to pick up the program.