Transcript Welcome to the Library - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Introduction to Patents
2008-2009
Your Subject Librarian in Troy
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Colette Holmes
E-Mail: [email protected]
Voice Mail: 518-276-8331
Office: Main Floor, Folsom Library
In Folsom Library: Mon - Fri, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Also available by appointment.
Copyright
• U.S. Copyright Office
• Concerns artistic or literary expression.
• Examples – books, pictures, jewelry design,
movie, music
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
• More than 7 million patents since 1790.
• Oldest US trademark 1870 (Avrill Paints eagle
logo) – No longer in use.
• Website: http://www.uspto.gov/
• Provides search engine.
Trademark
• Concerns words, names, symbols, sounds, or
colors that distinguish goods/services.
• As long as being used can be renewed.
• Oldest known: Circa 1241 AD Poland (salt mine)
• Examples: brand name Coca-Cola; shape of
Coca-Cola bottle.
What is a Patent?
• Exclusive rights granted to inventor or assignee.
• U.S. patents effective in U.S., territories, and
possessions.
• Depending on type of patent, term of patent is
from 14-20 years.
Types of Patents
• Utility New, useful, and “non-obvious” process, machine,
article of manufacture, or any new and useful
improvement thereof (Coffee cup sleeve)
• Design New, original, and ornamental design for article
of manufacture (Design of coffee cup sleeve)
• Plant Invents or discovers and asexually reproduces
any distinct and new variety of plant (New variety of
rose)
Google Patents vs. USPTO
• Keyword Search: (Google, 1790 - ; USPTO, 1976 -)
• Printing: (Google, one fell swoop); (USPTO, one page at
a time which requires TIFF software)
• Updated: (Google – monthly); (USPTO – weekly)
• Search Fields: ( USPTO has more; 1790 -1975
searchable only by Issue Date, Patent Number, and
Current U.S. Classification. )
Miscellaneous Information
• From Application to Issue – About 31 months.
• Patent Pending – No protection; Unlawful to market as
such if no application; Manufacturer gets head start.
• Patent agents and attorneys.
• Play-Doh – In the market 1955; patented 1964.
• Tough topics - Class searching; Nucleic or amino acids.
More about Patents
• Nolo’s Patents for Beginners. 2006.
• Intellectual Property (REF KF2980.W484 2008, Main
floor, Folsom Library)
• How Are Patents Organized? (freepatentsonline) Please
note: Some services associated with this website require
an account.
• Guide to Patents (Colette Holmes)
Introduction to Patents
The End
Fall 2008