Patents
What is a patent & when do I need one?
A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States” for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted. (USPTO)
Three types of patents:
- utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.
- design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
- plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually produces any distinct and new variety of plant.
Checklist: Should you patent your invention?
a few questions to ask before filing a patent application
When do you really need a patent?
a few pre-patent considerations from Business Week
Patent Basics
Patents: U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Process for Obtaining a Patent
flow chart showing the patent application process
Patent Classification
Patents are classified (organized) in the U.S. by a system using a 3 digit class and a 3 digit subclass to describe every similar grouping of patent art. A single invention may be described by multiple classification codes.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Events
Scheduled classes and trainings on Patents, Trademarks, and Copyright
Inventor and Entrepreneur Resources
Support for navigating the application process as well as fixes for issues and protection tips.
Electronic Business Center
Submit patent applications online
Laws, Regulations, Policies & Procedures
Patent Searching
Search for patents @ USPTO
Knowing if an invention is patentable is the first step in obtaining a patent. A thorough search of of all previous public disclosures (prior art) including, but not limited to previously patented inventions in the U.S. should be conducted. A search of foreign patents and printed publications should also be conducted.
Multi-Step Strategy
This is a suggested Multi-Step Strategy for conducting preliminary searches of U.S. patents and published applications using free online resources of the USPTO and its bi-lateral partner, the European Patent Office.
Pat2PDF
This site converts a patent document to an easy to use PDF.
Locating a Registered Patent Attorney
A registered patent attorney can assist with the searching and filing of a patent.
Patent How-To Videos
How to File Your Patent Application Documents in DocX
This USPTO training session provides a comprehensive overview of how to file and retrieve DOCX files in Patent Center.
Combine a Date Search With Other Types of Searches
In this video, you’ll learn how to limit a variety of searches using Patent Public Search by adding a date or date range, such as combining a title keyword search or an assignee search with a search of publication dates.
Search By Assignee Name and Location
This micro-tutorial for Patent Public Search will show you how to locate U.S. patents and published patent applications assigned to particular companies and other entities. You can search by assignee name, city, and state.
View Your Results
Learn how to use the Document Viewer on Patent Public Search to navigate through the patents and published patent applications retrieved by your search. The view can be toggled between a text format view and an image format view. Keyboard shortcuts are also discussed.
Expand Patent Families
This video includes a discussion of U.S. patent families and shows how to expand families in your search results using Patent Public Search.
Search By Inventor Name
This micro-tutorial for Patent Public Search walks you through the steps of finding U.S. patents and published patent applications from particular inventors.
Print Your Results
This Patent Public Search tutorial will show you how to print a summary table of your search results and how to print individual U.S. patents or published patent applications.
Using Patent Public Search Advanced to Search Designs
Learn how to use Patent Public Search (PPUBS) Advanced in this recorded demonstration with emphasis on design patent searching. PPUBS is a publicly available USPTO search tool that permits searching U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications. PPUBS has two interfaces: Basic and Advanced.
Quick Overview of Filing DocX Documents in Patent Center
This video shows how to file DOCX documents in the Patent Center training mode.
Trademarks
What is a trademark?
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than goods. Some examples include brand names, slogans, and logos. The term "trademark" is often used in a general sense to refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Trademark Basics
Trademarks: U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Trademarks: Oklahoma Secretary of State
Information for registering and searching trademarks with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Trademark Filing
Filing forms and information from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
How to Videos from the USPTO
Short videos on filing for trademarks and trademark enforcement.
Trademark How-To Videos
Learn the Fundamentals
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the fundamentals of trademarks and the federal trademark registration process, including an overview of the two main reasons trademarks are refused registration.
Common Signs of Trademark Scams
Trademark scams evolve. Learn the seven common signs of scams to help protect yourself.
Federal Trademark Filing Overview
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the fundamental mechanics of filing for federal trademark registration using the USPTO's new Trademark Center system, including an overview of the important components of your application.
Federal Trademark Searching Overview
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the fundamental mechanics of using the USPTO's trademark search system, including the concept of likelihood of confusion and why it's an essential part of searching.
Federal Trademark Searching: Getting Started
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the fundamental mechanics of using the USPTO's trademark search system, including searching using drop-down menus.
Federal Trademark Searching: Field Tag Searching
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the mechanics of constructing complex searches in the USPTO's trademark search system, including searching using field tags.
Federal Trademark Searching: Field Tag Searching with Regular Expressions
In this recorded webinar, we introduce you to the mechanics of using field tags and regular expressions to construct complex searches in the USPTO's trademark search system.
Copyright
What is copyright?
Copyright is 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.
Copyright Basics
U.S. Copyright Office
Find information about registration, licensing of copyrighted works and copyright law. Also access information circulars, publications, and forms.
Copright Act (U.S. Code Title 17)
Contains the federal statutes governing copyright law in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright
The Copyright Office offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about copyright, registration, and services of the Office.
Filing for Copyright
eCO (electronic Copyright Office)
File a copyright registration for your work through the Copyright Office online system.
Advantages of filing online include: Lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim (for online filings only); Fastest processing time; Online status tracking; Secure payment by credit or debit card, electronic check, or Copyright Office deposit account; The ability to upload certain categories of deposits directly into eCO as electronic files; Available 24 hours a day, except for routine maintenance every Sunday from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 AM Eastern Time
Preregister Your Work
IMPORTANT: Preregistration is not registration. It is also not necessary for the vast majority of works.
Preregistration is a service intended for works that have had a history of prerelease infringement. It focuses on the infringement of movies, recorded music, and other copyrighted materials before copyright owners have had the opportunity to market fully their products.
2-D barcode Copyright Forms
These forms must be completed on a computer, then printed and mailed.
Registration with paper forms is more expensive than using the eCO.
Copyright How-To Videos
Short videos on how to apply for Copyright.
Copyright Resources on the Web
Copyright Law & Policy
Law & policy information from the U.S. Copyright Office
NOLO Copyright Law
Basic information about copyright, use, registration & licensing
Copyright & Fair Use
This Stanford University site has an emphasis on copyright issues especially relevant to the education and library community, including examples of fair use and policies
Copyright Crash Course
Learn the basics of copyright by taking this crash course courtesy of the University of Texas
Copyright & the Public Domain
A chart defining when a work passes into the public domain
Digital Copyright Tools
A collection of tools from the Copyright Advisory Network
Copyright Clearance Center
Copyright basics and assistance with licensing of copyrighted works
Additional Resources for Patents, Trademarks & Copyright
Patent & Trademark Depository Library @ OSU
Resources and assistance from the Edmond Low Library at Oklahoma State University.
Live Virtual Trainings and Events