Why use the Georgia Tech PTRC?
- The Georgia Tech Library is the only PTRC in the state of Georgia.
- All available patents issued in the U.S. since 1790 are on file.
- Databases and other resources for searching patents and for learning about the patent application process are also available.
What assistance will I get?
- Library staff will train the searcher to use the patent classification system, databases, and other tools.
- Library staff will identify potentially relevant resources.
- Library staff cannot: offer legal advice, do the patent search, assist in writing the application, or warrant the completeness of the search or the patentability of the item.
- For legal assistance, please contact a registered patent attorney or agent.
Can I access patent information from home?
- A preliminary patent search can be done by searching http://www.uspto.gov, using the CPC patent classification system. Keyword searching only goes back to 1976.
- For foreign patent search, use Espacenet
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site has searchable front page information for patents issued since 1976 and full text printable patent images issued since 1790.
What books might I read?
- There are many valuable books about patents and trademarks at the Georgia Tech Library, your local library, and at bookstores.
- Some particularly useful publications include, but not limited to:
- General Information Concerning Patents
- Guide to Filing a Utility Patent
- Guide to Filing a Provisional Patent Application
- Protecting Your Trademark
- Patent It Yourself by David Pressman, the latest edition, published by Nolo Press.
Disclaimer: Library staff cannot offer legal advice, perform a patent search, assist in writing a patent application, or warrant the completeness of a patentability search.