Patent Information

What is a Patent?

"A patent is a document issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that grants a monopoly for a limited period of time on the use and developemnt of an invention which the USPTO finds to qualify for patent protection."¹

The U.S. Patent Office issues three main types of patents:

Utility: This is the main type of patent issued. It is granted for something new or improved in an electrical, mechanical or chemical invention.

Design: The design patent protects only the ornamental appearance of an article of manufacture.

Plant: This type of patent applies to new varieties of botanical plants invented or discovered and asexually reproduced.

How many U.S. patents does Reference Services have?

Here's a list of the types of patnents and patents we have in the department:

U.S. Patent Specifications and Drawings - 1790 TO DATE

U.S. Design Patents - 1842 TO DATE

U.S. Plant Patents - 1931 TO DATE

U.S. Official Gazette - 1872 TO DATE

Index to U.S. Patent Classification - LATEST

Manual of Classification - LATEST

Classification Definitions - LATEST

Annual Index of Patents and Annual Report of the Commission - 1892 TO DATE

Manual of Patent Examining Procedure - LATEST

35 USC Patents, Laws - LATEST

37 CFR Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights - LATEST

Patent Attorneys and Agents Registered - LATEST

Does Reference Services have any foreign patents?

Here's a list of foreign patents in the department:

United Kingdom Old Law Patents - 1617 TO 1981

United Kingdom New Law Applications - 1979 TO DATE

Patent Cooperation Treaty Applicant's Guide - LATEST

Where can I find more information?

The US Patent & Trademark Office's website has plenty of information, try taking a look at the following links.

General Information Concerning Patents

FAQs about Patents

General Information About Plant Patents

Patent Electronic Business Center

Guide to Filing a Utility Patent

Guide to Filing a Design Patent

Patent Fees

USPTO Forms