Patents: A Research Guide

People research the existence of patents in hopes of inventing something unique or improving on a product that has already been invented. They also use patent research to assist them in completing their patent applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Trademark searches uncover the registered use of a particular name to identify a product, service, or business. Whether starting a new business, creating a new product, or writing a book, the laws on intellectual property remain a maze for most of us. The materials and resources listed below will assist researchers with a starting off point to find further materials.

The Copyright Handbook: How to Protect & Use Written Words, 7th ed. by Stephen Fishman. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2003. ISBN: 0873379748.
Provides you with all the information and forms that you'll need to protect all types of creative expression under U.S. and international copyright law.

How to Make Patent Drawings Yourself: Prepare Formal Drawings Required by the U.S. Patent Office, 3rd ed. by Jack Lo and David Pressman. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2002. ISBN: 0873377885.
Explains how to create patent drawings that comply with the rules of the U.S. Patent Office.

Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Property Desk Reference, 6th ed. by Stephen Elias and Richard Stim. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2003. ISBN: 0873372360.
Provides overview of intellectual property law in practical terms.

Patent It Yourself, 10th ed. by David Pressman. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2004. ISBN: 1413300251.
Guides readers through the entire patent process, from conducting a patent search to filing a successful application.

Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name, 6th ed. by Stephen Elias. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2003. ISBN: 0873379454.
Guide on choosing and protecting your business name whether it's in print or on the Web.

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Canadian Patents Database
http://patents1.ic.gc.ca/intro-e.html
This database lets you access over 75 years of patent descriptions and images. You can search, retrieve and study more than 1,500,000 patent documents.

European Patent Office
www.european-patent-office.org/online/
Links to member states and patent databases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patents
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/faq.htm
Frequently asked questions and answers about patents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trademarks
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmfaq.htm
Frequently asked questions and answers about trademarks.

Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP)
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/ptdl/ptdlib_1.html
Find a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) near you. These libraries receive and house copies of U.S. patents and patent and trademark materials. They have staff that can guide you through the patent search process.

Patent Cafe
www.patentcafe.com
Covers many practical aspects of intellectual property including patent searching, invention groups, government agencies, and famous women, and black inventors. There are chat groups, magazines, and book sources.

United States Patent Office
www.uspto.gov
Official Web site of the U.S. Patent Office. Search for existing patents, instructional information, and online filing.

Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
www.ipo.org
Established in 1972, IPO is a trade association for owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. IPO is the only association in the United States that serves all intellectual property owners in all industries and all fields of technology.

National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP)
www.napp.org
A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting patent practitioners and those working in the field of patent law in matters relating to patent law, its practice, and technological advances.

National Congress of Inventor Organizations (NCIO)
http://inventionconvention.com/ncio/
Oldest nonprofit umbrella organization in the United States dedicated to encouraging the spirit of innovation and creativity. NCIO offers education, training, and support to inventor organizations with the mission of creating standards of ethics and professionalism within the invention community and growing the invention industry.

United Inventors Association
www.uiausa.org
Not for profit corporation formed in 1990 for educational purposes. Its mission is to provide leadership, support, and services to inventor support groups and independent inventors.