A New Model for Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs)
Blog by Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos
Many independent inventors and small businesses have discovered that there is a free resource in their state, possibly even their own city, to assist them on their quest to successfully protect and market their inventions. The USPTO partners with over 80 libraries in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to provide access to and training on U.S. patent and trademark information via the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP).
One of my goals this year is to both revitalize and rebrand the program to reflect the 21st century focus on electronic information dissemination and training. As part of this initiative, the USPTO is conducting a public roundtable to obtain input from organizations and individuals on current use of the PTDLs as well as how we can make them more useful, and a more substantial resource, in the future. The roundtable will be held on February 15, 2011, from 1:30-3:00p.m. (ET) at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia and will also be webcast.
PTDLs are the face of USPTO in local communities – promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Specially trained staff show you how to perform a preliminary patent or trademark search using the search tools on the USPTO website. Staff cannot provide legal advice, but will show you how to locate legal practitioners to meet your needs. PTDLs also have access to a public version of the Web Based Examiner’s Search Tool (PubWEST), and staff can teach you how to use its powerful search features. These are some of the current services being offered at PTDLs. We would like your input on additional services you would find helpful.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Madison Auditorium on the concourse level of the Madison Building, which is located at 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. To access the webcast, visit: https://uspto.connectsolutions.com/ptdlp021511/
Written comments may also be sent via e-mail to PTDL_comments@uspto.gov.
Thank you for your comments and for your continuing interest in improving the USPTO and our services to America's innovation community.
Posted at 08:49AM Feb 07, 2011 in ip | Comments[1]
Posted by Martin Wallace on February 21, 2011 at 08:36 AM EST #