Subject Guides: Patent and Trademark Resource Center: Resources and Assistance in Patents & Trademarks

Resources for Application Assistance

IP Identifier: Learn to identify and protect your intellectual property
Learn how to identify which of your creative ideas might be intellectual property assets and how to protect them by using the USPTO Intellectual Property (IP) Identifier.
Books
Fogler Library and Orono PTRC holds a wide collection of patent and trademark law self-help materials, as well as the entire up-to-date Patent Office Rules and Practice. Staff cannot recommend works, but we can assist with the use of our catalog and other finding aids in order to help you to identify works that may help you answer questions of a legal nature.
Inventor's Website
The USPTO assists independent inventors, small businesses, minorities, university affiliated inventors, and other underserved communities through the Office of Innovation Development's Inventor's Website.
Pro Se Assistance Program
Pro Se means "for oneself". If you plan to file a patent application without the assistance of a patent agent or attorney, check out this program. They can provide guides and resources for some of the most common issues that applicants encounter.
Pro Bono Program
Inventors and small businesses that meet certain financial thresholds and other criteria may be eligible for free legal assistance in preparing and filing a patent application.

Patent Resources and Assistance

USPTO Patent Center
Patent Center is the official USPTO site for electronic filing and management of patent applications.
AAU
The staff in the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) is trained to assist with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) and the post-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Data Management (ODM).

Telephone: 888-786-0101
Email: HelpAAU@uspto.gov
IAC
The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners, experienced primary patent examiners, various intellectual property specialists, and attorneys who can answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure.
Patent EBC
The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) assists customers with filing their electronic patent application submissions via the Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web) and with the review of patent applications in Public and Private PAIR, as well as supporting customers while Searching the Patent and Application Full-Text Image Databases.
Hiring an Attorney
Advice on how (and whether) to hire a Trademark Lawyer for your application process.

Research Help, not Legal Advice

While Orono PTRC staff are happy to provide assistance with your search, we cannot offer legal opinion or interpretation of the law. We cannot file applications or determine if a patent or trademark will be approved by the USPTO. We are not likely to be familiar with mechanical, electrical, chemical or other technologies relating to your search. Additionally, we are not trained or licensed legal professionals. This means that we are not able to advise you regarding any legal matters, including whether or not your invention is patentable, nor can we provide legal assistance for you. If your questions require legal opinion or an interpretation of the law, we recommend contacting a patent agent or attorney. A database of registered patent attorneys is available on the USPTO Web site.

Help for Native American Trademark Issues

Trademarks and Native American tribal insignia
Information about the thorny issue of Trademarks and Native American Insignia
Tribal Insignia and Trademark Regulations
Section of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure that pertains to Native American Tribal Insignia.

Advice for Inventors

5 Tips for Inventors: Meeting with a Patent Attorney
From IP Watchdog, advice for inventors when meeting with a patent attorney or patent agent.
Changes to the American Invents Act (2013)
An article detailing some of the changes to the 2013 act, none of the information given should be construed as legal advice.