Patents, Trademarks & Copyright

Welcome to the research guide for patents, trademarks & copyright.

Wichita State University Libraries is one of 84 U.S. Patent and Trademark Research Centers (PTRCs) in the country and the only PTRC in Kansas. Since receiving this designation in 1991,  we have received copies of U.S. patents and a variety of patent and trademark searching tools in both print and electronic formats, as well as extensive training in providing patent and trademark research assistance.  The Library is open to the public, and we assist with preliminary patent and trademark research by appointment at no charge.

PTRC library staff are trained to use search tools to access patent and trademark information.  We offer assistance with preliminary patent and trademark searches by appointment. Please contact either Sara Butts or Jessica Torres for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What we offer:

• Books on a variety of business and intellectual property topics
• Databases for industry and consumer research
• Entrepreneurship Research Series workshops given by Meghann Kuhlmann, Business Librarian, Sara Butts, Engineering, Patents, and Trademark Librarian, and Jessica Torres, Information Services Research Assistant
• Virtual presentations given by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• One-on-one consultations to help you with business, patent, or trademark research
• Online research guides for entrepreneurs, business research, and intellectual property

Location and Hours:

PTRC librarians are typically available from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Visitor Parking and Parking Map 

Library Hours

Click the image above to learn more about PTRCs.

The intellectual property rights of WSU students are outlined in the following document (Section 5: Student Academic Creations).

Intellectual Property Policy and Institutional Procedures