Materials and Services Available at PTDLs

• General Description
• Printed or Microform Materials
• Electronic Databases
• PTDLP Publications
• Core Collection List (PDF)

General Description

To be designated as a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL), a library must meet specific requirements and agree to fulfill certain obligations as outlined in the brochure Notes on Becoming a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. Each PTDL is required to acquire and make freely available to the public a minimum 20-year backfile of U.S. patents. It must protect the integrity of the collection, maintain classification system documents and related publications, and assist the public in efficient use of the collection, and retain all depository items until disposal is arranged through the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP).

The intellectual property collections of some libraries significantly exceed the core requirements. A significant number have complete backfiles of all U.S. patents since 1790. To inquire about collections at your nearest PTDL, consult the List of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries.

Printed or Microform Materials

All PTDLs maintain a core collection, which includes at least a 20-year backfile of U.S. patents. Other materials available include:

• Currently issuing U.S. patents -Available on microfilm

• General Information Concerning Patents - Provides information in non-technical language concerning the application for and granting of patents and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the patent application process

• Basic Facts About Registering a Trademark - Includes forms and instructions for filing applications to register trademarks and service marks

• Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) - USPTO Patent Examiners' guide to examination practice

• Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) - USPTO Trademark Examiners' guide to examination practice

• Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP) - USPTO guide to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board practice

• Trademark Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual - An alphabetical index of goods and services identified by International Class

• Attorneys and Agents Registered to Practice Before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - A list by state, name, and address of practitioners authorized to practice before the PTO

• Products and Services Catalog - Includes information and ordering instructions for products and services available from PTO

Electronic Databases

Basic patent and trademark electronic search products are provided to all PTDLs by the USPTO. Many PTDLs also subscribe to the on-line Automated Patent System (WEST). Partnership PTDLs in Sunnyvale, California, Detroit, Michigan, and College Station, Texas, offer both text and image retrieval of patents and trademarks as currently provided to examiners at USPTO.   Note: The databases available from the USPTO's web site outlined below may not be available for general access at all PTDLs.

• Optical Disc Products at PTDLs - Describes PTO electronic search products regularly provided to PTDLs

• Trademark Search System (X-Search) - Trademark text and image searching is available at PTDL Partnership sites in Sunnyvale, California, Detroit, Michigan, and College Station, Texas.

• USPTO Internet Search Systems - Search the US Patent Database and Trademark Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual.

• Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) - TESS provides access to the same text and image database of trademarks as currently provided to examining attorneys at the USPTO via the X-Search system.

• USPTO Web Patent Database - Full text of all US patents issued since January 1, 1976, and full-page images of each page of every US patent issued since 1790.

PTDLP Publications

• Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program - Describes the mission, history, and operation and services of the PTDLs

• Notes on Becoming a Patent and Trademark Library - Lists requirements for designation and obligations of PTDLs
  
  
• Core Collection List (PDF) - Lists the basic resources held within every PTDL's collection
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• List of PTDL Libraries - List includes the address and telephone number of all current PTDLs
  
  
• Optical Disc Products at PTDLs - Lists optical disc products available for public used at all PTDLs

• Patents: The Collection for All Reasons - Describes the ways in which this unique resource can be used. (PDF)

• The Seven-Step Strategy - Outlines a suggested procedure for patent searching

• Conducting a Trademark Search at a PTDL - Outlines a suggested procedure for trademark searching

Miscellaneous Publications and Helpful Documents

• Patent Document Kind Codes
• Patent Document Kind Codes (PDF)
• USPTO Search Facilities Hours and Location
• Document Disclosure Program
• International Schedule of Classes of Goods and Services

Disclaimer: PTDLs are neither required nor encouraged to conduct patent and trademark searches for their patrons as that activity may be interpreted as rendering a judgment or opinion. PTDLs are required to instruct patrons in the use of the search tools available at the PTDLs for patrons conducting their own patent and trademark searches.

KEY: =online business system =fees =forms=help =laws/regulations =definition (glossary)

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