Patents, Trademarks & Copyright

The Entrepreneurship Research Series Workshops help inventors and entrepreneurs learn how to protect their intellectual property and support their business through research.

To check out what workshops we have for Spring 2022, please go to the Entrepreneurship Research Series Guide. 

WSU Libraries-PTRC and Kansas SBDC/SBA bring you Intellectual Property Basics, a free virtual workshop being held Wednesday, January 31 from 3:00-4:00 pm. 

• Inventions, designs, original works of authorship, and trade secrets can provide you with economic benefits. Learn the basics of intellectual property protection. Jessica Pierpoint with the USPTO Kansas Patent and Trademark Resource Center will present. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Our Rocky Mountain Regional and USPTO have some great virtual workshop series via WebEx over the next few months that are FREE and open to the public. They also have many sessions offered in English and Spanish for our bilingual patrons, if wanting Spanish version click on word "Spanish" instead of date and session title. If interested please visit: Rocky Mountain Region Events. For more information, contact Jessica Pierpoint or Nicholas Wyant.

January, February, and March USPTO Virtual Events 

Jan. 26th: USPTO's Liquid Capital: Data Resources for Inventors

• This program will provide demonstrations of USPTO's publically available tools:
  • Developer Hub
  • PatentsView
  • Global Dossier
  • Patent Examination Data System (PEDS)

Jan. 26th: Together in Innovation-Inner Space and Outer Space

• The world needs your ideas. Learn how to unleash them from teams of innovators who will expand our knowledge of inner and outer space. Every unique combination of skills and experience offers a novel point of view. We can’t afford a small talent pool in an increasingly complex age. Fortunately, we can expand that pool to include more students with a sense of wonder, inventors nurturing the next big ideas, and entrepreneurs with a drive for success. Don’t miss this chance to hear from successful creators, each with fascinating backgrounds that shaped their careers. You will learn about resources available to communities nationwide, best practices for innovating, and ways to protect your hard work as you follow your own path.

Feb. 15th: USPTO guidance and policy-Subject matter eligibility 

• Matthew Sked, Senior Legal Advisor in the Office of Patent Legal Administration, will provide an overview of the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) subject matter eligibility policy and associated materials.

Mar. 29th: Patent Trail and Appeal Board presents Appeals 101

• Kalyan Deshpande, a senior lead administrative patent judge, and Amanda Wieker, an administrative patent judge, will lead a discussion that will cover:
  • A basic overview of appeals from examiner decisions
  • Tips for written advocacy in appeal briefs
  • Tips for oral advocacy in appeal hearings
  • An overview of the Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP) and its applicability to appeals

USPTO Virtual Series

Intellectual Property Basics and Helpful Resources (monthly)

January 20th, February 3rd, March 3rd, April 7th, May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th, September 1st, October 6th, November 3rd, December 1st

The Path to a Patent series (an 8-part series that is weekly on Thursdays)

January 27th: Patent Searching

February 3rd: Draft Application

February 15th: Understanding Role of Claims

March 3rd: Protect your IP Abroad

March 10th: Patent Applications using Patent Center

March 17th: Common Mistakes and Post-Filing Support

Trademark Basics Boot Camp (an 8-part series that is weekly on Tuesdays)

January 11th: Fundamentals

January 18th: Registration Process

January 25th: Searching

February 1st: Application Requirements

February 8th: Application Filing Walk-Through

February 15th: Responding to Office Action

February 22nd: Keep Registration Alive

March 1st: Q&A Panel

For accessibility requests, or for more information, please call 303-297-4600, email rockymountain@uspto.gov or visit us online at Rocky Mountain Regional USPTO.

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 and offer assistance with various patent, trademark, and copyright consultation questions. Please note that we cannot perform patent or trademark searches for individuals and cannot give legal advice. For legal advice, please contact a registered patent attorney or agent. More specialized questions should be directed to the USPTO. Please contact Jessica Pierpoint or Nicholas Wyant 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 taught by: 
  • Jessica Pierpoint, Library Patent and Trademark Specialist
  • Nicolas Wyant, Engineer, Patent, and Trademark Librarian
  • Meghann Kuhlmann, Business Librarian
• Virtual presentations given by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Rocky Mountain Regional 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

Students' IP Rights at WSU

Click the image above to learn more about PTRCs.