Patents at the State Library Main Page

1. Patents at the Arizona State Library: Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents What is a Patent? “A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.” The three types of patents: 1) Utility patents: may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof; 2) Designpatents: may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and 3) Plant patents: may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

2. Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents: The Patent Office (USPTO) has a helpful guide to what is a patent, the different types of patents, and questions you may have at: www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/index.htm The website of the US Patent and Trademark Office at www.uspto.gov/ will have the information you need:  if you are interested in learning about patents  researching “prior art” (similar inventions) back to 1790  filing your patent application online  looking at who has the rights to someone else’s patent (assignments) General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

3. Patents at the State Library Main Page Patent Searching: Considering patenting your own invention and want to do a patent search? You can now do a preliminary patent search from home or work—anywhere with an internet connection. It is possible to view patents back to 1790 via the USPTO web database However, US patents prior to 1976 are only indexed by their current classification number, issue date and patent number. Thus, to find all earlier patents that may be “prior art” or similar to your invention, you will need to learn how to search patents by classification number. Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

4. Patents at the State Library Main Page Patent Searching--Guides: The USPTO has put together the basic 7-step search strategy to explain how to do a thorough patent search using the two-part classification number. This enables you to search for earlier, similar inventions by a two-part number. (All US inventions are given a classification number of this type). Searching by classification number is far more thorough than trying to search by keyword. Be prepared to spend some time on your searches! The Patent Searching tutorialby Andrew Wohrley from Auburn University Libraries will guide you through the 7 step strategy (though its geared for Auburn’s libraries), Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

5. Patents at the State Library Main Page What about Google??? If you’re searching patents for fun and not profit: Try your luck with GOOGLE’s Patent Search BETA!  Great for unusual inventor names  For inventors patenting prior to 1920.  Excellent for easily pulling up images Try Google if you have difficulty with viewing TIFF images and want to retrieve a patent image quickly (combine a number and a keyword). A fun example: put curtis and “infant garment” in Google’s search box NOTE: this search cannot take the place of a systematic search for prior inventions by classification if you intend to patent your creation. Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

6. Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository):  Online access to the Internet and the USPTO website (which has the online official Index to the Manual of Classification and patent images)  Patent Gazettes since 1872 (SuDoc C 21.5; older ones in remote storage). Report of the Commissioner of Patents to Congress in the Serial Set  CD-rom updates issued in 1994 to 1999  DVD updates (2001 -2004)  all patent-related publications issued by the Government Printing Office to Federal Depository Libraries (we are a “regional depository”—the State Library receives 100% of the materials issued to the GPO). Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

7. Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories): ASU has microform back-file reels for design and utility patents at the Noble Science Library in Tempe, Arizona. “United States Patents. Designs” is the title listed in the ASU Library catalog: It can be found in the Noble Science Library’s Microforms section under the number T 223.U3 U5 FILM  “United States Patents”is the title for the utility patents from 1842 on. It can also be found in the Noble Science Library’s Microforms section under T 223 .A2 U5 FILM. General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

8. Patents at the State Library Main Page Nearest Patent Depository Libraries are: California: San Diego Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Rivera Library, University of CA—Riverside Colorado: Denver Public Library Nevada: University Library, University of Nevada--Reno New Mexico: Centennial Science and Engineering Library, University of NM (Albuquerque) Texas: Texas Tech University (Lubbock),San Antonio Public Library Utah: Marriott Library, University of Utah (Salt Lake City) Other patent depository libraries listed by the USPTO. Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

9. Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries: Other nearby libraries may have useful books on patent searching and the patenting process such as: Patent It Yourself by David Pressman, Esq. (Nolo Press, 12th Ed.), 2006 and earlier editions Patent Searching: Tools & Techniques by David Hunt, Long Nguyen, and Matthew Rodgers (Wiley), 2007 The Inventor's Bible: how to market and license your brilliant ideasby Ronald Louis Docie (Ten Speed Press, rev & expanded ed.), 2004 All I Need Is Money: How to finance your invention by Jack Lander and Richard Stim (Nolo, 1st edition), 2005 Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

10. Inventor’s Assistance: Help and how to avoid scams for would-be inventors: Visit the online Inventors Assistance Center of the US Patent and Trademark Office to see inventor assistance SCAMS to watch out for, read chat questions of other inventors and skim helpful guides. Call the Inventors Assistance Hotline at 800-PTO-9199(800-786-9199) or 571-272-1000. Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (ET) See complaints filed against invention promotion companies and learn why people feel they have been cheated. Meet locally and network with other inventors through the Inventors Association of Arizona Attend local workshops related to patents and marketing from SCORE Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

11. Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries Finding Historical Patents (otherwise known as researching great uncle’s wacky inventions, searching for inventors, or checking out patents from a history perspective): See “Finding Historical Patents by Inventor Name at the Arizona State Library and Archives” (PDF file) for a methodical search of both online and paper resources. This handout also includes links to databases of inventors. Example: a database of female inventors To view early patents in the Serial Set, see “Documents in the Serial Set Containing Index of Patents” (PDF file). General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

12. Arizona Patent News Stories (be inspired by real life Arizona inventors): “Inventor Creates Shoe to Fit Any Occasion”, Arizona Republic (March 28, 2007), Tempe Republic section, p.7 “If It Could Make Money, Patent it…” Arizona Republic (Feb. 5, 2007), D1. “Grass Clippings Lead to Invention - Glendale Man Turns Trashcan Upside-down…” Arizona Republic (Dec. 6, 2006), Surprise Republic, p.12 “IBM Engineer,Team Granted record number of Patents” Arizona Daily Star, (Jan. 11, 2007), A1 “At 87, Inventor Awaits Patent on Can Opener: idea came as he was 'eating a lot of soup” Arizona Republic (Jan. 23,2006), D3 “Patents Push Big Ideas from Drawing Board to Pocketbook” Arizona Daily Star (June 13, 2005), D1 “Couple hope guitar-chord gadget catches on” Arizona Daily Star (Dec. 16, 2005), D1. “Local Inventors at the Fore: ideas abound in East Valley Tech Firms” Arizona Republic (Nov. 24, 2005), D3 Find these stories and others using Newsbank or other news article databases at your local library. Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

13. Fun with Patents and Trademarks: Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries Games and trivia from the USPTO The “Patently Silly” website (commercial) The “Patently Absurd” website of bizarre British Patents Sound Trademarks Inventors starting early: The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle: & other surprising stories about inventions by Don L. Wulffson (Cobblehill Books/Dutton), 1997. The Kids' Invention Book by Arlene Erlbach (Lerner Publications Co.), 1997 How to Enter and Win an Invention Contest by Edwin J. C. Sobey (Enslow Publishers), 1999 General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

14. More Information About Patents: Patent statistics ASU Patent Information webpage:  includes resources for inventors  international & foreign patent info  patent law resources Spanish language explanation of patenting from the Biblioteca de la Universidad de Puerto Rico: (for informational purposes only) Search for patent attorneys and agents registered with the USPTO Information about the Historic Patent Office: a chronology and slide show(current as of June 2007) Historic Patent Officephotos Read Temple of Invention: history of a national landmark by Charles J. Robertson (Smithsonian), 2006 Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

15. Other Types of Intellectual Property: Trademarks trademark: word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods of one party from those of others.  service mark: same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. (source: Trademark Basics Facts, USPTO website). The USPTO Trademarks webpage has more information about searching for and filing applications for service and trademarks. Preliminary USPTO trademark search guide: Search or apply for an Arizona trade name via the Secretary of State’s Office, Business Servicesor call Mon – Fri 8am to 5pm (602) 542-6187 or file in person at 14 North 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007 Read: Trademark: how to name your business & product by Kate McGrath (Nolo), multiple years Entrepreneur's Guide to Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets & Licensing by Jill Gilbert Welytok (Berkley Books), 2004 For more information & resources: visit ASU’s Trademark Information page Patents at the State Library Main Page Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

16. Patents at the State Library Main Page Other Types of Intellectual Property: Copyright “a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.” (source: Copyright in General webpage FAQs) For more information: see the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office website check Copyright status online or check renewals  visit the Library to search earlier works status in the Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1891 – 1978, LC3.6/5.  on public domain status, see Peter Hirtle’s “When Works Pass into Public Domain” chart Also helpful: Information from the University of Maryland’s Center for Intellectual Property Read: Complete Copyright: An Everyday Guide for Librarians by Carrie Russell (American Library Association), 2004 The Public Domain: how to find & use copyright-free writings, music, art & moreby Stephen Fishman (Nolo, 3rd ed.), 2006 Books on the Patenting Process at Local Libraries General information about patents Inventors Assistance & Associations Patent Searching Finding Historical Patents Patent Searching --Guides AZ Patent News Stories What about Google? Patent Resources at the State Library (NOT a patent depository) Fun with Patents More information about Patents Patent Resources at other AZ libraries (NOT patent depositories) Trademarks in Brief Nearest Patent Depository Libraries Copyright in Brief

17. Questions about this presentation or information not covered? • Contact staff at the Arizona State Library and Archives • Law and Research Desk • (602) 926-3870 • Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm • or from other areas of Arizona contact us at: • (800) 228-4710 Patents at the State Library Main Page Source of trademark images: TESS database of trademarks (cancelled or abandoned) Source of patent images: USPTO full text and patent image database