Program Descriptions
Program Number
11.900
Title
Patent And Trademark Technical Information Dissemination
Federal Agency
PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authorization
35 U.S.C. 1-42.
Status
Active
Objectives
To promote the continued growth of American technology and commerce through the utilization and dissemination of technical information available through patents and trademarks, and maintenance of public search centers containing patents and trademarks.
Types of Assistance
Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Patent and Trademark Office examines patent applications to determine the patentability of an invention and grants patents when requirements of law are met. It publishes and disseminates information, mainly through its Internet Web site http://www.uspto.gov which contains the texts and images of over 7,000,000 patents (full-text since 1976, full-page images since 1790) and over three million registered, pending, and abandoned trademarks dating back to 1870. The Patent and Trademark Office also sells copies of patents for $3.00 each, and maintains on site Public Search Facilities where Patent and Trademark information may be searched and copied. Access is open to all adults who obtain a free User ID, issued only in the Patent Search Room. The Patent Search Room is located at 600 Dulaney Street(Madison East), Lobby Level, and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays. The Trademark paper facility is located at 2900 Crystal Drive (South Tower Building), Room 2B30 and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Patent and Trademark information is available in these locations in a variety of formats including online and optical disk automated search systems, microfilm, print documents and publications. Access is free, print and photocopies have a $.25 per page, $.50 for color fee. Customers nationwide are also served through PTO's national network of 84 Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs). PTDLs offer a variety of information resources and services and are staffed by information professionals trained by the PTO. Additional information on the Public Search Facilities and the PTDLs may be found on the USPTO Web site. There are approximately 7,400,000 U.S. patents issued to date. These documents are arranged by subject classes and subclasses for searching. The Patent Search Room is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and may be used by anyone at no charge. The device, discovery or process described in a patent cannot be manufactured, used or sold except by the inventor or assignee for 20 years after the date of patent filing, after which it enters the public domain. However, technical information contained in a patent can be used in many other ways.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Anyone is eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Not applicable.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Not applicable.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-1006-0-1-376.
Obligations
(Direct obligations) FY 07 $1,842,966,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
The PTO's information dissemination program provides patent and trademark information via a diverse line of products and services.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
"General Information Concerning Patents," and "Basic Facts About Registering a Trademark" are available at no cost.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Department of Commerce field offices listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
General Information Services, (1-800) 786-9199 or (703) 308-4357 or usptoinfo@uspto.gov. Mailing Address: Patent and Trademark Office, Mailstop USPTO Contact Center PO Box 1450, Alexandria VA 22313-1450.
Web Site Address
http://www.uspto.gov
Related Programs
11.650, National Technical Information Service
42.002, Copyright Service
81.003, Granting Of Patent Licenses
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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