September 14, 2012
CONTACT: (Media Only) Patrick Ross
or Paul Fucito (571) 272-8400 or
patrick.ross@uspto.gov or paul.fucito@uspto.gov
Press Release, 12-58
Patent and Trademark Resource Center Opens at Western Illinois University
Center to focus on access to patent and trademark information and training
Washington – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) opened a new Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) today at the Western Illinois University Libraries in Macomb, Ill., to better serve the intellectual property (IP) needs of the public.
“PTRCs are the face of the USPTO on a local level,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “They promote innovation and entrepreneurship and help ensure that potential filers have access to the resources they need as they begin their quest for commercial success.”
Currently, PTRC-designated libraries can be found in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This network of more than 80 public, academic, state, and special libraries assists a variety of customers including inventors, IP attorneys/agents, business people, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and historians.
In addition to offering free electronic services and resources to support the IP needs of local and state patrons, the Western Illinois University Libraries PTRC will employ USPTO-trained librarians to provide customer assistance on the use of the agency’s patent and trademark databases and public seminars on IP topics for novice and experienced users.
The modern PTRC network has its foundations in the 1800s when Congress provided printed copies of patents to libraries for use by the public. The USPTO established training support and membership standards for these diverse libraries in 1977.
For a list of current PTRC libraries and locations, visit www.uspto.gov/ptrc.
For non-press inquiries about the Western Illinois University PTRC, contact Charles E. Malone at (309) 298-2719 or c-malone@wiu.edu.
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