Patent and Trademark Help
Educating yourself regarding intellectual property is critical in deciding what you want to claim as property. Intellectual property terminology is shrouded in legalese, highly technical language, and sometimes utter nonsensical phrases (Floppy filaments to promote sure capture=Koosh® Ball). Educating yourself in the terminology and the differences between intellectual property options will greatly assist you in making the right decisions. Before your visit to the PTRC, it is recommended that you visit these informational web pages and tutorials. These sites will assist you in asking the right questions in regards to protecting your intellectual property.
- Intellectual Property Basics - MconneXA series of videos on intellectual property basics from the University of Michigan Engineering College. An excellent and highly recommended site.
- Subject Matter Eligibility - USPTOStarting in 2014, the USPTO issued subject matter eligibility guidance on 35 U.S.C. 101. This guidance was in response to decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court on claims reciting judicial exceptions including abstract ideas, laws of nature, and natural phenomena, as well as feedback received from the public.
- IP Identifier: Learn to identify and protect your intellectual propertyThe IP Awareness Assessment, developed under the joint efforts of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP), allows you to assess your intellectual property awareness.
- Inventor Resources: USPTOThe USPTO assists independent inventors, small business concerns and university affiliated inventors through its Office of Innovation Development. The office also works closely with other officials and agencies throughout the government in support of the administration’s efforts to promote small business, entrepreneurship, and job creation. The Office of Innovation Development designs and implements outreach programs intended to reach a wide range of groups, including independent inventors, women, small business concerns, minorities, and other underserved communities.
- Trademark BasicsDo you have a name or logo you're using to advertise your business? You might have a trademark. Learn how to protect it through the federal registration process.
- United States Copyright OfficeSelect the "Circular and Brochure" link under the Law & Policy tab for information on protecting different types of creative products and filing requirements.
- Dayton Bar Association Lawyer Referral ServiceFind local intellectual property attorneys
Workshop/Class Handouts
A collection of class and community presentation handouts.
- Class Presentation - Intellectual PropertyOverview of intellectual property and how to conduct a proper patent search.
- Color Coded PatentSections of a patent are describe as to meaning and purpose.
- Search Overview for Patent Public SearchIntroduction to the new USPTO Patent Public Search database.
- Quick Reference - Patent Public SearchThe following table contain commonly used searchable indexes supported by the Patent Public Search for the US full-text database.
- Using the Cooperative Patent ClassificationA guide to using the Cooperative Patent Classification scheme to locate prior art in patent documents.
- Guideline for Maintaining an Inventor's NotebookThe inventor’s notebook can be one of the most important elements of the patent process. As the official record of your technical work (calculations, experiments, prototype, ideas and improvements, etc.)
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers - Ohio
- Akron Summit County LibraryPhone: 330-643-9075
- Cleveland Public LibraryPhone: 216-623-2870
- Toledo-Lucas County Public LibraryPhone: 419-259-5212