​​Intelluctual Property Protection

Broward County Library's PTRC shares information on behalf of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the U.S. Copyright Office. Learn more about the PTRC Program. 

Main types of intellectual property protection:

• Patents protect inventions. They are grants of property rights which allow inventors to exclude others from making, using, or selling their inventions.
• Trademarks protect the names of products or services. They are words, phrases, symbols, or combinations of these which identify and distinguish the sources of the goods or services of one party from those of another.
  
• Copyrights protect literary and artistic expression. They are a form of protection provided to the creators of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works.
  

The PTRC is located in the Main Library on the 5th floor and there you can:

• obtain general patent, trademark and copyright information
• determine the patentability of a new idea
• conduct patent and trademark searches
• learn how to apply for patent, trademark, or copyright protection. 
  

General books relating to intellectual property are located on the Main Library's 4th floor. General books may be found at various branches of the Library and are generally classified in the 346.73048 section.

Intellectual Property Resources

PATENTS
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - Information about patents and describes the patent application process. It also allows patent searching.
Note: Although searches may be conducted on the USPTO website, a visit to the Main Library Information Services Section (5th floor) is recommended for additional guidance on patent searching. Please call 954-357-7439 for more information.

Highlighted Service: Pro-Se Assistance Program - Got a great idea for an invention but you're not sure what a patent is or why you might need one?

Do you need help from the USPTO about patent matters?
The Office of Innovation Development of the USPTO is working with the Patent and Trademark Resource Center at the Broward County Main Library to provide greater availability to those needing assistance with the Patent Process by allowing individuals to set up appointments to speak with examiners directly at USPTO by means of the Virtual Assistance Pilot Program. This is a videoconference meeting which requires in person presence at the Broward County Main Library. Information on a variety of topics relating to patents and assistance with USPTO administrative and procedural matters will be provided by USPTO staff during the meeting, however, no legal advice will be given. Examples of assistance include reviewing provisional and nonprovisional patent applications for proper form prior to filing and assistance with procedures related to patent application prosecution. The Virtual Assistance Pilot Program extends the services that our Patent and Trademark Resource Center has provided in the past.

Appointments:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10AM-Noon and 1-3PM
Requests may be made with at least two business days’ notice. Meetings may be for one or two hours as needed, and there is no limit to the number of meetings that may be requested over time, as these are on an as needed basis. Scheduling of appointments are mediated by PTRC librarian or designated backup. To participate, please ask at the 5th floor Reference desk or call 954-357-7439 for details. A Virtual Assistance Pilot Program Inventor Checklist is available to participants to provide guidance on general requirements, some necessary commonly used items, as well as recommended online basic training.

More information:

• Patent Alert about the Virtual Assistance Pilot Program
  
• Introducing Patent Virtual Assistance - article describes the program and the Library's involvement
  

Useful links:

• Knowledge of patent system: Basic Patent Training for Independent Inventors and Small Businesses 
• Knowledge of patent searching: How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search: A Step by Step Strategy 
• Familiarity with WebEx: Join a Meeting as an Attendee
• Familiarity with WebEx: How to use "Call Me"
• Familiarity with WebEx: How to Share an Application
• Familiarity with WebEx: Hosting a Meeting and Sharing Materials 

Monthly Live Patent Programs
The USPTO conducts two monthly chat programs related to patent information of interest to independent inventors. The format for these live programs consists of approximately a half-hour presentation followed by a half-hour question and answer session. Questions may be submitted, via email. 

• Inventor Info Chat
  Generally held on the third Thursday of every month, 11AM-Noon
  Questions: inventorinfochat@uspto.gov
• Patent Quality Chat
  Generally held on the second Tuesday of every month, Noon-1PM
  Questions: patentquality@uspto.gov

Live Simulcast at Creation Station Station Business
Although they are freely available online, the USPTO programs are also simulcast live at the Broward County Main Library’s Creation Station Business (CSB), located on the 7th floor. Please check the Patent Chat schedule or the Inventor Chat schedule for dates and times. You can also contact Creation Station Business at 954-357-7418 and/or the Reference Desk at 954-357-7439.

TRADEMARKS
USPTO has information about trademarks and describes the trademark application and registration process.