The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is rebranding its nationwide network of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries.
Starting October 1, 2011, these will become known as Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs).
The name change signifies a major shift in focus from the ‘paper depository’ concept to an expansion of access to electronic information and specialized training.
USPTO is attempting to meet the needs of 21st Century patent and trademark customers more effectively by maximizing the use of online resources.
PTRC designated libraries can currently be found in 46 states, providing assistance to inventors, intellectual property attorneys, agents, businesspeople, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and historians.
“PTRCs serve as the face of the USPTO in local communities and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said USPTO director David Kappos.
This ensures potential filers have the local resources necessary to draw on for support as they begin their quest for commercial success with their intellectual property, he added.
At the PTRCs, USPTO-trained librarians provide customer assistance on the use of patent and trademark databases.