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Patent Resources: Home

Learn about patents and how to find them.

What are Patents?

Patents document the creation of certain types of intellectual property. They are reviewed and approved by a division of the U.S. Government - the Patent and Trademark Office. Patents have been issued by the U.S. government since 1790 and have evolved over time. Patents register an invention, design, plant, etc. with the government and when granted allow the inventor to exclude others from the production, use, and sale for a period of 20 years (uspto.gov). International patents are also available. This LibGuide provides an overview of resources related to patents. 

For additional information about what patents are, visit the link below. 

Types of Patents

What can patents be used for?

  • Do you have an idea for an invention? Discover inventions and proposed projects. 
  • Are you interested in the development of particular technologies? 
  • Are you looking for information about an ancestor or other notable person who invented something? 
  • Are you interested in the specific activities and/or outputs of a specific company? 

Finding Patents

Digital Patent Resources

Other Publications from the U.S. Patent Office

Resources outside USU

Utah Representative to the Patent and Trademark Resource Center

Acknowledgement

This LibGuide is based upon trainings provided by Alfred Mowdood, University of Utah Librarian & Representative to the the U.S. Patent and Trademark Resource Center (USPTRC), and USPTRC staff hosted by the Government Publishing Office. 

Your Librarian

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Jen Kirk
Contact:
Merril-Cazier Library, Lower Level, Room 012
jen.kirk@usu.edu
(435) 797-8033

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See our Online Access page for help.

FDLP Designation

“This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)”

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