University of Wisconsin - Stout

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK SEARCH ENGINES

Begin by searching for a patent by topic, phrase, patent number, or use the advanced search mechanisms if you have other information such as author or would like to limit by date. You can also browse patents in a certain classification.

GENERAL PATENT AND TRADEMARK SITES

INTERNATIONAL PATENT INFORMATION

DEFINITIONS

A Patent is a grant from the U.S. government giving an inventor the exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention in the U.S. for a limited time (up to 20 years from the time of application for a utility or plant patent, up to 14 years for a design patent). Design, Plant, and Utility patents are all granted. Consult the document General information concerning patents from the USPTO for more information.

A Trademark or Service Mark is a word, name, symbol, or device used to identify goods or services used in commerce; marks used in interstate or international commerce are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Consult the USPTO document Basic Facts about Trademarks for more information.

A Trade or Service Mark used by a business only within a state's boundaries is considered a state, rather than Federal mark, and is usually registered with a state's Attorney General's office.

A Trade Name is just another name for a trademark or service mark.

ADDITIONAL KEY SOURCES

PATENT DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

For help in researching older patents (those issued before 1971) visit a Patent & Trademark Depository Library. Those nearest UW-Stout are: NOTE: Full PDF images of all U.S. patents can be accessed through the University Library's computers. The six computers in the reference room's scanner pod can be used without modification. On any other library computer, you will need to:
  1. Click Start button, then Settings, then Control Panel.
  2. Click on Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Click Quick Time, then Remove button. Uninstall all.
  4. Patent images can be viewed, but only printed a page at a time, and many error messages will keep popping up. You can ignore them.
  5. When you log off, the Go-back software will reinstall QuickTime.

PRINT RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

LIBRARY POLICIES

Interlibrary Loan and Purchase

Stout students and staff members can request full copies of most U.S. patents, by patent number, through Interlibrary Loan at no cost. Other persons should be able to obtain copies through the Menomonie Public Library. Individual patents, identified by patent number, can also be purchased from the Patent and Trademark Office or from Delphion. Some European and International patents are available in full text or for purchase from Delphion.

INDEXES AND DATABASES

Stout Users Only

Use the Indexes and Databases to identify articles in journals, magazines, and newspapers. Many indexes provide full text articles.

WWW Search Engines

The search engines that are available on the WWW vary in depth and coverage. Explore the search options to find relevant WWW sites. For a list of available search engines and WWW directories, e.g. Google or Yahoo, use Searching the Web from the Library Home Page.

Citations

To cite online resources in appropriate bibliographic style see: Citing Resources

To organize citations and create bibliographies and papers in APA, MLA and other styles see: RefWorks and Other Citation Management Tools

Last Updated: 04/01/2008 and Last Revised: 3/30/2008

Contact Denise Madland for more information or help on this topic.