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The US Patent & Trademark Depository Library at UND |
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The Chester Fritz Library at the University of North Dakota became a United States Patent and Trademark Depository Library in January of 1990. This program provides individuals, students, businesses in North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Minnesota, patent, trademark and copyright information.
| PATENT AND TRADEMARK DEPOSITORY COLLECTION: |
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Presently, the holdings of the Chester Fritz Library Patent and Trademark Depository consist of:
- Utility patents: 1872 to date
- Design patents: 1872 to date
- Reissue patents: 1872 to date
- Plant patents: 1931 to date
In addition, the depository maintains complete holdings of the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office (1873 - present), as well as publications, application forms, various indexes and informational publications regarding patents and trademarks.
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| WHAT ARE PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS: |
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A 20-year utility patent is granted to the inventor of a new and useful machine, process, or composition of matter.
20-year plant patents are granted to new distinct, asexually reproduced plants.
A 14-year design patent protects new, original and ornamental designs.
A trademark is a name, symbol or phrase used in interstate commerce to identify a product or service. A business or company name is a trade name and can not be registered federally.
A copyright protects artistic works from being reproduced without permission. Copyrights are issued by the Register of Copyrights at the Library of Congress. |
| TRAINING: |
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Patent searching is time consuming, with preliminary searches taking several hours. For this reason, individuals should discuss their research needs with a depository staff member.
The depository staff will assist in the search process but does not interpret intellectual property law or offer legal advice. A list of registered patent attorneys is available in the library. Appointments can be made for training or discussion of research needs by calling: 701-777-4888.
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| COMPUTER ACCESS: |
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The Chester Fritz Library has a CD-ROM computer system. This free system from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office provides automated search assistance. Searching by patent and classification number will produce lists of related patents back to 1790. The system may also be searched by keyword, company name, and inventor name in files of more recent patents. The trademark disks contain information on all currently registered and pending federal trademarks. |
| PATENT COPIES: |
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Materials in the depository collection do not circulate, but facilities for making paper copies from either microform or bound copies are provided for a fee. Copies of patent and trademark information when the patent or trademark numbers are known can be requested by calling: 701-777-4888 or fax 701-777-4811. |
| ACCESS: |
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The Chester Fritz Library is open to the public. Anyone may use the collection on the premises. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except during state holidays and academic inter-sessions. It is important to call for an appointment. |
| CONTACT: |
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Patent and Trademark Depository
Chester Fritz Library
University of North Dakota
Box 9000
Grand Forks, ND 58202
701-777-4888
Fax: 701-777-4811
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, September 25, 2007 )
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