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Public Interest Patent Law Institute

EIN 87-2025872 · La Quinta, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF, PUBLIC ACCESS TO, AND SOCIAL EQUITY IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND RELATED FIELDS OF LAW, INCLUDING BY CONDUCTING RESEARCH, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE PATENT SYSTEM.

Income
$227,487
Spending
$145,547
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
25 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$65,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 98% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $93,854 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS - WE PROVIDE FREE COUNSELING TO TECHNOLOGY CREATORS AND USERS; PROVIDE EDUCTION TO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS AFFECTED BY AND INTERESTED IN THE PATENT SYSTEM, CONDUCT RESEARCH ON THE PATENT SYSTEM'S IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING MEDICAL PATIENTS, CONSUMERS, AND RESEARCHERS; AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST IN PATENT ISSUES IN FEDERAL ACOURTS, AGENCIES, AND STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS.
  2. $20,000 spent. STANDARD ESSENTIAL PATENT POLICY RESEARCH - WE CONDUCTED AND PUBLISHED RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF STANDARD-ESSENTIAL PATENTS ON THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING PRODUCT PRICE, SUPPLY, AND VARIETY. TO DO THIS, WE RETAINED AN EXPERT ECONOMIST, WHO DEVELOPED A TOOL FOR DETERMINING WELFARE-MAXIMIZING STRUCTURES FOR LICENSING STANDARD-ESSENTIAL PATENTS. WE PUBLICIZED AND DISSEMINATED THIS RESEARCH, INCLUDING TO POLICYMAKERS AND THE PRESS, TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE IMPACT THAT STANDARD-ESSENTIAL PATENTS HAVE ON PUBLIC WELFARE AND ENABLE THEM TO MAKE POLICY DECISIONS THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST.
  3. $10,520 spent. DRUG PRICING INITIATIVE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.