This report is intended to show what the PDTLs are and how they function. For a more complete description see" works cited".
The Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP) administers a nationwide network of public, state and academic libraries designated as Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDL) authorized by 35 U.S.C. 13 to :
The copyright act of 1870 brought all U.S. copyright registration and deposit activities to the Library of Congress. The Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program had its beginning in 1871 when the federal statute (35 U.S.C. 13) first provided for the distribution of printed patents to libraries for use by the public. In its early years, twenty-two libraries, mostly public and located east of the Mississippi River, elected to receive copies of printed patents. Since 1977 the PTDL Program has grown to almost four times its original membership. About half of the PTDLs are academic libraries with nearly as many public libraries. There are also a number of state libraries and even special research libraries. All libraries regardless of type must meet the same requirements and obligations.
The Scientific and Technical Information Center of the Patent and Trademark Office located at Crystal Plaza, Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, V.A, has available for public use over 120,000 volumes of scientific and technical books, about 90,000 volumes of periodicals, the official journals of 77 foreign patent organizations, and over 40 million foreign patents on paper, microfilm, microfiche, and CD-ROM. The Patent Search Room is provided so the public may search and examine US patents granted since 1790. Through the use of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries an inventor or patent attorney or anyone else can do preliminary research work to find information without going to Washington. Each of the PTDLs, in addition, offers the publications of the U.S. Patent Classification System and other patent documents and forms. There is also technical staff assistance provided to aid the public in gaining effective access to information contained in the patents. The collections are organized in patent number sequence, also available in all PTDLs is the Cassis CD-ROM system which permits word searching on classification titles.
Many states are looking to the PTDL Program as a way to help their economic growth. Having a Patent and Trademark Depository Library as a readily available local resource for small businesses, research and development firms, university and government laboratories, and independent inventors brings the newest technology in the form of patents directly to the local library of these potential users. Patents provide a unique body of scientific and technical literature and add value to a library's collection. Access to trademark information provides a service in high demand by local businesses. PTDL designation brings a new and exciting service to a community, region, or state. The availability of high-quality patent and trademark information services often attracts new library users with the potential for new sources of library support. The term PTDL refers to a library which has acquired or is acquiring a collection of U. S. Patent and Trademark documents. Each library must maintain the collection and provide public access to the collection through the services that they offer. There is an annual fee of $50 for copies of all current patents that are on microform.
The library must also acquire a minimum of a 20-year back file of U.S. patents, which are available on CD-ROM. Each must maintain a collection of classification systems and other patent and trademark related publications and documents that are critical to the effective use of patent and trademark files. By being a PTDL, the library will receive training and assistance in the use of the patent and trademark programs. The Patent and Trademark office holds annual meetings for training and information exchanges; each library is expected to attend each meeting.
A work station to access the CD-ROM classification systems will be provided by the PTO to the first PTDL designated in any given state or territory.
A patent is a property right granted by the government to an inventor " to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the U.S. or importing the invention unto the United States for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted".
Patents protect inventions and improvements to existing inventions, and are granted only in the name or names of the actual inventors. To receive a patent file, a complex application with the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks must be filed. The application should be filed as soon as possible after the completion date of the invention.
The term "Trademark" is used to refer to any of the four types of marks that can be registered with the PTO. The two primary types are; trademarks used to identify goods or physical commodities, which are sold or transported, and Service marks used to identify services, which are performed by one person for the benefit of others. The last two types are Certification marks and Collective marks that occur infrequently and have some different requirements for registration.
There are specific benefits of having a federally registered trademark;
In conclusion, a patent is not always granted when an application is filed, so many inventors attempt to make their own search of prior patents. With Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries located throughout the country an, inventor or patent attorney can do this without going to Washington. With over 200,000 patent applications a year the PDTLs play an important role in streamlining a time consuming search.
In Maine, the Fogler Library, (part of the University of Maine) is a PDTL. It became a regional depository in 1963 and now has over 875,000 volumes of information; it's the largest collection in Maine.