Patents and Trademarks   Tags: cfl, government, patents, patents and trademarks, und, und libraries, und_libraries  

Patent Search Assistance

A patent search is too complex to complete over the phone, and requires a visit to the Library. In order to ensure the attention and confidentiality you require for your research, we recommend that you schedule an appointment to come in and get assistance with your search. To schedule an appointment, contact Peggy O'Connell:

Phone: (701) 777-4888
E-mail: peggy.oconnell@library.und.edu

Trademark Search Assistance

Trademark search assistance is available by phone or in-person. If you choose to come in to the Library, we recommend that you schedule an appointment to ensure your confidentiality and so staff will have adequate time to assist you. To request a search or schedule an appointment, contact Peggy O'Connell:

Phone: (701) 777-4888
E-mail:peggy.oconnell@library.und.edu

Please note that the library's patent and trademark coordinator assists in the search process but does not interpret intellectual property law.  If you are looking for legal assistance, the library makes available a list of patent attorneys and agents.

In 1990, the Chester Fritz Library was designated the 67th U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Library.

What does this mean for users?  Being a Patent and Depository Library enables users' access to the Patent and Trademark Depository and allows the University of North Dakota and greater North Dakota community the ability to view over 5 million patents and 2 million trademarks issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The holdings of the depository at UND consist of full design, utility, plant and reissue patents from 1960 to the present. The Depository Library also contains a complete run of the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office and various indexes and informational publications regarding patents and trademarks.

You can access USPTO's patents databases through their website.  Be advised, though, that they are not full text pre-1976 and as a result it can be difficult to search for historical patents.  You are also encouraged to come to the library or give us a call to schedule a search using our search tips and strategies as well as access to the full USPTO databases.

The USPTO has some helpful information covering both patents and trademarks on their website.  See for example, this infographic on the patenting process.

If you're looking to protect your intellectual property worldwide, look at WIPO, the World Intellectual Property Organization.

If you're looking for information in book form, the following texts contain helpful explanations of the US patent and trademark system and where to search for information on patents and trademarks