Patent and Trademark Depository Library

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The Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) is a public service of Fogler Library in partnership with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Fogler Library has been a PTDL since 1993. We work closely with the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program Office. They provide substantial online, printed and training resources to the Fogler PTDL. We also work with other PTDL libraries around the U.S. See the association web page: Patent and Trademark Depository Library Association.

Services offered:  

• Free one-on-one training and assistance in doing your own patent or trademark search (USPTO web databases or in-house Cassis workstation) 
• Advice on non-patent databases to consult for prior-art
• For those unable to visit Orono, we will send out helpful booklets and guidance on searching.
• Use of all resources needed to do a complete patent or trademark search. Patent and Trademark Research Guide
• Full-text of U.S. patents issued from 1790-present
• Early USPTO publications, dating back to the mid 1800's, for historical research
• Reference collection of "how to" patent and trademark books that are helpful to small business owners and inventors. Selected list of up-to-date books:  This is a non-circulating collection. Older editions if available may be charged out. 

• Century of Innovation: Twenty Engineering Achievements that Transformed our Lives. by George Constable. National Academy Press, 2003. (ORO Stacks Folio T173.8.C68 2003)
• Copyright Handbook: How to Protect & Use Written Works. by Stephen Fishman. Nolo Press, 2003. (SciPTDL KF2995.F53 2003)
• Essentials of Patents. by Andy Gibbs and Bob Dematteis. John Wiley, 2003. (SciPTDL T333.G53 2003)
• Essentials of Trademarks and Unfair Competition. by Dana Shilling. John Wiley, 2002. (SciPTDL KF3180.S55 2002)
• Guide for the Preparation of Patent Drawings. USPTO, 2002. (SciPTDL T324.G84 2002)
• Guide to the International Registration of Marks under the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. WIPO, 2002. (SciPTDL K1557.G85 2002)
• How to Make Patent Drawings Yourself: Prepare Formal Drawings Required by the U.S. Patent Office. by Jack Lo and David Pressman. Nolo Press, 1999. (SciPTDL T223.U3L6 1999)
• How to Market a Product for Under $500!. by Jeffrey Dobkin. D. Adams Pub., 2001. (SciPTDL HF5415.122.D53 2001)
• Inventing Made Easy: The Entrepreneur's Indispensable Guide to Creating, Patenting and Profiting from Inventions. by Tom and Roger Bellavance. Quiet Corner Press, 1999. (SciPTDL T339.B44 1999)
• Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas. by Ronald Louis Docie. Ten Speed Press, 2001. (SciPTDL HF5415.153.D63 2001)
• Inventor's Notebook. 3rd ed. by Fred Grissom and David Pressman. Nolo Press, 2000. (SciPTDL KF3114.6.G75 2000)
• Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Property Desk Reference. 6th ed. by Stephen Elias and Richard Stim. Nolo Press, 2003. (SciPTDL KF2980.E44 2003)
• Patent It Yourself. Step-by-step instructions... by David Pressman. 9th ed. Nolo Press, 2002. (SciPTDL KF3114.6.P74 2002) 
• Patent Searching Made Easy: How to do Patent Searches on the Interent & in the Library. 2nd ed. by David Hitchcock. Nolo Press, 2001. (SciPTDL T210.H58 2000)  
• Patent System for the 21st Century. Ed. by S. A. Merrill. National Academy Press, 2004.
• Stand Alone Inventor! and Make Money with Your New Product Ideas! by Robert G. Merrick. SNP Editions, 2000. (SciPTDL T339.M55 2000)
• Trademark Guide. by Lee Wilson. Allworth Press, 1998. (SciPTDL KF3181.Z9W54 1998)
• University of Maine System. Statement of Policy Governing Patents and Copyrights. February 2002.

U.S. Patent Research Resources at Fogler Library: selected list.

• Index to the U.S. Patent Classification. (SciPTDL T223.A25) December 2001. Also see the online version. Provides a starting point to look for classification numbers.
• Manual of Classification. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (SciPTDL T223.F4U5a) Updated for 2002. Also see the online version. Can scan through the classes to find possible appropriate class number to search.
• U.S. Patent Classification System Classification Definitions. (SciPTDL Microfiche, C21.3/2) Also see the online version. (Need to choose the definitions.) Provides in depth scope notes and see references for how the classification system is applied by the examiners.  
• Subject-matter index of patents for inventions issued by the United States Patent Office from 1790 to 1873, inclusive. (SciPTDL T223.D7A45 1976 v.1 - 3). Helpful subject index which provides patent number, date of registration, inventor, and inventor residence.
• Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents and General Index of the Official Gazette. These indexes to patents provide indexes by inventor and assignee name and by general subject or title words. They provide the patent number, registration date and the volume and page number where it can be located in the Official Gazette. These are the most effective method for starting an investigation of an older patent or inventor. (SciPTDL T223.H3A3 1840 - 1975) Located along the wall next to the Cassis workstation.

While library staff are happy to provide assistance with your search, we cannot guarantee search results or offer legal advice. We cannot file applications or determine if a patent or trademark will be approved by the USPTO. We are not likely to be familiar with mechanical, electrical, chemical or other technologies relating to your search. Additionally, we are not trained or licensed legal professionals. This means that we are not able to advise you regarding any legal matters, including whether or not your invention is patentable, nor can we provide legal assistance for you. A database of registered patent attorneys is available on the USPTO Web site.

PTDLs are NEITHER REQUIRED NOR ENCOURAGED to conduct patent and trademark searches for their patrons as that activity may be interpreted as rendering a judgment or opinion.

PTDLs ARE REQUIRED to instruct patrons in the use of the search tools available at the PTDLs for patrons conducting their own patent and trademark searches.

Hours:

The best time to visit the PTDL is when Science and Engineering Center staff are available. Check the library hours homepage for building hours and holiday closures.

Academic Year: September - May (Note: when classes are in session)

Sunday: 1:00pm-9pm
Monday-Tuesday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday-Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Summer: June - August

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Directions to Campus:

Contact the Parking Office at (207) 581-4047 for information about temporary parking passes. Check the online campus map for parking locations.

From the South:

1. Take I-95 to Exit 193 (Formerly Exit 51).
2. Turn right onto Stillwater Ave.
3. Follow Stillwater Ave. for 1.5 miles.
4. At the 4th traffic light from I-95, turn right onto College Ave.
5. Follow College Ave. for 1.5 miles.
6. The University of Maine campus is on the left. Do not take the first entrance at the Alfond Arena. 
7. Fogler Library is closest to the second entrance, opposite the steam plant. Turn left into campus and stay to the right at the 'Y' in the road. At the first stop sign turn left. Note: there are 2 roads to the left here. The road that is the sharper left has visitor street parking. The other road is closer to the library and has some visitor parking on the right. The Fogler Library is the 3 story building at the end of the open 'mall' or 'lawn' area near these parking areas. 

From the North:

1. Take I-95 to Exit 51
2. Turn left onto Stillwater Ave.
3. Follow steps 3-7 above

PTDL Libraries in Northern New England

If you live in southern Maine, other PTDL libraries in Boston, MA and Concord, NH may be closer. Anyone may use a PTDL even if they are not a resident of the state or city in which it is located. A complete list of PTDLs is available organized by state. 

Massachusetts: Boston Public Library
666 Boylston St.
Boston, ME 02117
(617) 536-5400 x265