[OSU Library Banner] [Patent & Trademark Depository Library Address]

 
[Patent Search Assistance] [Trademark Search Services] [Search for Patents on the Web] [Inventor Assistance Service] [Oklahoma Inventors Congress] [Foreign Patents on the Web] [Questions about Patents] [Questions about Trademarks] [Questions about Copyrights] [Links to Other Resources] [Location and Hours] [Staff]

Suggestions for Inventors
 Conducting a Preliminary Search at the OSU Patent & Trademark Library
It takes two hours to begin a preliminary patent search. Please call to make an appointment before visiting the Patent & Trademark Library (405)744-6546.

To locate a Patent & Trademark Depository library in your area, visit the [Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program Logo].

SUGGESTIONS

  1. Develop a clear idea of what your invention is and what you desire to protect about the invention. Know its structural features, mode of operation and intended uses. "Ideas" per se cannot be patented, but machines or processes utilizing your ideas often can be.

  2. Keep good records! A journal or inventor's logbook with signed and witnessed entries is best. See library guide entitled "Inventor's Logbook: 16 Suggestions for Keeping a Proper Logbook" written by Professor Gerald McClain, available from the OSU Patent & Trademark Library. The Disclosure Document program offered by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office provides a written record of the time-frame in which you first developed your idea, but affords you no patent protection.

  3. Find existing products similar to your invention. Look for any patent numbers on similar products and their packaging. One patent number can often be used to find other patents for similar inventions or products.

  4. Call ahead to make an appointment to perform your own patent search. An appointment will reserve time with staff and on the Internet. A member of the Patent & Trademark Library staff will be available at your appointment time to assist you in the patent search process.

  5. Appointments are available at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. An appointment is required.

  6. Plan on researching one invention at a time. You should allow a minimum of two to four hours per invention to do a thorough search.

Patent and Trademark Library Home | Library Home | OSU Home | A-Z INDEX | Search this Site

Last Update: June 26, 2006
Comments to: lib-ped@okstate.edu
URL: http://www.library.okstate.edu/patents/prelim.htm