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Invented a better mousetrap? Next Step: Patent Searching 101

Have a great idea for an invention? Need a patent to protect your invention? Need to know the difference between patents, trademarks, and copyrights? Attend one of the two date options for a public workshop offered on patents on Wednesday, April 17, or Thursday, April 25.
patents-gsu-public-event
Have a great idea for an invention? Need a patent to protect your invention? Need to know the difference between patents, trademarks, and copyrights? Attend one of the two date options for a public workshop on patents offered on Wednesday, April 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm or Thursday, April 25, 9am - 10:30am.

Have a great idea for an invention? Need a patent to protect your invention? Need to know the difference between patents, trademarks, and copyrights? To determine if your invention is novel, unique, and market viable, it is crucial to verify that your idea has not been patented before or does not infringe upon a similar patent. The key is learning how to conduct a patent search in online resources, such as Patent Public Search at the US Patent & Trademark Office site: https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/static/pages/landing.html.

Attend onsite or online to gain knowledge about the following topics:

  • Conduct a Thorough Preliminary Patent Search
  • Complete a Prior Art Search, including Non-patent Literature
  • Perform a Comprehensive Search with Cooperative Patent Classifications (CPC)
  • Learn USPTO’s Patent Searching Multi-step Strategy
  • Additional Resources, e.g. business and marketing information 

Event Information

Same 90-minute sessions, two date options:

  • Wednesday, April 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
  • Thursday, April 25, 9am - 10:30am

Instructor: John Schlipp, Patent & Trademark Resource Center of Georgia Southern University Libraries

Attend live onsite at BIG Statesboro or via Zoom online

Register HERE for the April 17 workshop

Register HERE for the April 25 workshop

Meet your Instructor!

Georgia Southern University invites you to join us for these workshops from the Patent and Trade Resource Center (PTRC). These complimentary workshops will be delivered under the leadership of Professor John Schlipp, an Intellectual Property Librarian at Georgia Southern University Libraries. He represents the Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) for the US Patent & Trademark Office at Georgia Southern. John also teaches a new Information Studies credit-bearing course INFO 2350 Workforce Ready: Introduction to Metaliteracy Skills. He has published a textbook entitled Intellectual Property and Information Rights for Librarians (2019, ABC Clio/Bloomsbury). He is an editorial board member for the Journal of the Patent & Trademark Resource Center Association.  

Both workshops are intended to benefit inventors, entrepreneurs, educators, students and legal professionals. The Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) at Georgia Southern can assist you to conduct your own free patent and trademark searches on specialized USPTO databases. Additionally, you can receive one-on-one instruction on the application process, improve awareness of a product field, determine application feasibility and prepare for consulting with an attorney.

“With the recent economic development of Hyundai’s Mega Site, associated suppliers and regional commerce, our PTRC cultivates a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship" stated Schlipp

"Innovators and creative colleagues utilizing the PTRC service at Georgia Southern University Libraries will be able to determine the potential for their patent applications and federal registration for a trademark on their inventions, products or services.”