PTRC

PTRC

As a PTRC, we provide free patent and trademark related training and research consultation to students, faculty and staff on the Georgia Tech campus, as well as inventors, entrepreneurs, artists and historians from the public around the state. Collaborating with the USPTO and stakeholders on and off campus, we create various programs to meet the community needs.

Reserve a Patents Workstation

Services

Unique GT Resources:

  • Patent Public Search systems for precision searching/browsing of patent information
  • Full-text of U.S. patents issued from 1790.
  • Early USPTO publications, dating back to the mid 1800’s
  • Up-to-date color plates of U.S. plant patents
  • Reference collection of patents and trademarks books that are helpful for inventors, entrepreneurs and historians

Helpful Links:

 

  • Monthly patent classes open to everyone
  • Consultation on patents and trademarks by email, phone or online
  • One-on-one training/consultation by appointment for using Patent Public Search
  • Advice on non-patent literature database for prior art search
  • Consultation of other resources needed throughout one’s invention journey
  • Consultation on patent search and analysis tools for research projects
  • Customized patent lectures for design/invention classes and programs
  • Customized patent and trademark lectures/programs for communities/groups by request

Contact our PTRC Expert

Consultations & training may be arranged by appointment based on availability.

Contact our PTRC Expert

Directions & Parking Info

Visit the Georgia Tech PTRC

Directions & Parking Info

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.