Beyond Google Effective Patent Searching In Every Library

At one time, to do a patent search….

Now…85 Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries

Two In North Carolina UNC-Charlotte PTDL NCSU PTDL

And now, web access to patents goes back to 1790…

What Can Your Library Do? --LOTS! Direct inventors to web sites – – –BUT direct to specific resources like Inventors Resources section –Install TIFF reader software Provide information on search strategy However, do NOT do a search for someone Search

CASSIS (discs) and PubWEST (secure) databases for: –Abstracts and full images of European & Japanese patents (in PubWEST) (but in that foreign language) –More sophisticated searching (in PubWEST)  Enables combining search sets, use of proximity operators, etc. –Easier searching of pre-1976 patents (either database) –Downloading lots of patents (in CASSIS—for now) What Can They Only a PTDL?

Comparison of Databases FeatureUSPTO SiteCASSISPubWEST Coverage FT from 1976; KW from 1976 FT from 1976; KW from 1969 FT from 1976; KW from 1920 Updated weekly Every other month weekly Printing one page at a time Whole image at once (have to change CDs for multiple patents) Whole image at once Exporting no Yes, to spreadsheet no Availability AnywhereIn D. H. Hill only in NCSU Libraries only

More They Can a PTDL Plant patent collection (photos) Print resources (how-to and other books) –How to do searches –How to write claims in an application –Inventor resources –Small business resources (At Present)

Search Strategy (or, Why Google Isn’t Enough) Brainstorm synonyms Look up in Index Identify class and subclass #s Read class & subclass definitions Review patents (& apps!) in those classes Trace related patents through references Search non-patent literature

Mock Search 1. Brainstorm Terms

Pathway Patents (sidebar on left) How to Search for Patents (sidebar) Dropdown menu - I am an inventor doing a patentability search.  Seven–Step Process w/ links to tools

NCSU Web Page

Mock Search

2. The Index of Classification

Multiple Incidents of Terms

3. Classes and Subclasses

The Manual: Class and Subclass Scope Exercising / 142+

4. Class Definitions Exercising / 142+

5. The Patents of a Given Class

Reminder: Search Strategy 1.Brainstorm synonyms 2.Look up in Index 3.Identify class and subclass #s 4.Read class & subclass definitions 5.Review patents (& apps!) in those classes 6.Trace related patents through references 7.Search non-patent literature

5. The Apps of a Given Class Copy just the numbers from this search:  482/142 Click the Home link circled above

5. The Apps Database Select the Quick Search

5. The Apps Database Paste the numbers in the search box

5. The Apps of a Given Class

Where Were We? Oh, right— Step Six 1.Brainstorm synonyms 2.Look up in Index 3.Identify class and subclass #s 4.Read class & subclass definitions 5.Review patents (& apps!) in those classes 6.Trace related patents through references 7.Search non-patent literature

The Structure of a Patent Brief Description { 6.

The Structure of a Patent 6.

The Structure of a Patent Claims Description

7. Non-Patent Literature Articles Conference proceedings Blogs—Web sites—listservs Anything publicly accessible

Dos and Don’ts DO Use a generic example Explain search strategy Direct to print & online resources Refer to PTDLs and USPTO DON’T Ask for the details of an invention Fill out forms for someone Interpret rules or process given a particular situation Speculate on an outcome Accept completed forms

Contact Info NCSU Libraries Michele Hayslett (919) UNC-Charlotte’s Atkins Library (704) (Reference Desk) USPTO (800) , Option #2 then #5

Search Caveats When Seeking Patents by a Particular Person If a person invented something while working at a company or university, his or her name will be listed as the INVENTOR, while the ASSIGNEE is usually the company or university. Variations in how a name is LISTED and SPELLED Joe Brown, Joseph Brown, Joseph A. Brown, J.A. Brown –or Browne! Can’t search names on USPTO web site if before 1976

Other Printing Options Online Free or Fast Search capabilities often limited  Patent Logistics' Free Patent Fetcher  pat2pdf  Google Patent A few of many

How to Find Your Closest PTDL OR

How to Find Your Closest PTDL