How local librarians can assist you

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The Patent and Trademark Resource Center Program offers assistance in using search tools, education and training, and trained experts to help.

Find a list of tools and materials available to support your patent and trademark needs.

If you want to connect with a trained expert on patent and trademark information, find a PTRC near you.

Resources

Patents

Patent Public Search – Search tool for searching all U.S. patents and published patent applications.
Patent Basics – Gain essential knowledge on patents and the patent application process.
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) – A reference work on the practices and procedures that patent examiners follow when examining patent applications.
How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search: A Step-by-Step Strategy – Video tutorial (36 minutes)
The Multi-Step Strategy – Outlines a suggested procedure for patent searching.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) System – Search for U.S. and European patents under one classification system.
International Patent Classification (IPC) System – Access a hierarchal classification system used primarily to classify and search patent documents by their technical field.
United States Patent Classification (USPC) System – Use the USPC classification scheme for plant and design classification material.
Patent Document Kind Codes – Distinguish patent documents by code.

Trademarks

Trademark search – A searchable database of trademarks.

Trademark basics – Learn how to protect your trademark or service mark and access forms and instructions for filing applications.

Conducting a trademark search – Follow a step-by-step guide to find a trademark.

Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) – A reference work on the practices and procedures trademark examining attorneys follow when examining trademark applications.

Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Manual of Procedure (TBMP) – A reference work on the practices and procedures TTAB members follow when handling trials and appeals involving trademark-related matters.

Trademark ID Manual – A searchable database of goods and services descriptions with information on international goods and services classes.

International Schedule of Classes of Goods and Services – Access general remarks, class headings, and explanatory notes under the Nice Classification, Twelfth Edition, version 2024 (NCL 12-2024).

General

Attorneys and Agents Registered to Practice Before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – Find a practitioner authorized to practice before the USPTO by state, name, or address.

Access our free services – Access a wide range of intellectual property (IP) resources, including application assistance, education and training, help appealing or fixing an issue, and other services that support the full spectrum of customers.

Public Search Facility – Get public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats, including online, microfilm, and print.