Patents & Trademarks
Do you have a great idea for an invention? Do you want to protect your business name, business slogan, logo, or product brand? The Free Library of Philadelphia can help you.
The Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) has been designated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), one of three in the state of Pennsylvania, and the only one in eastern Pennsylvania. As a PTRC, the Free Library of Philadelphia has a mission to support the public, inventors, and small businesses to find the information they need to protect their intellectual property.
Contact us to learn more about patents and trademarks and how to do the necessary research before filing your patent or trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Request an Appointment or Reserve a Room
The PTRC is excited to offer one-on-one virtual and telephone appointments with a Patent & Trademark Librarian. We can provide guidance for individuals on learning the four different types of Intellectual Property (IP) that can protect what you have invented or created and searching techniques for existing patents & trademarks.
Video Content Library
-
Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Toolkit
Do you want to protect your invention, product, brand name, logo, short story, or song that you've created? Learn about the different types of intellectual property (IP) available, and the requirements, timelines and costs to do so. Basic searching techniques for patents and trademarks are included in this class.
-
Patents 101: Learn the Basics
Do you want to protect your invention or design with a patent? Learn about the three different types of U.S. patents available for what you invent. The requirements, costs, and where to search for existing patents are covered in this class.
-
Trademarks 101: Learn the Basics
Do you want to protect your business logo, brand name, or slogan with a trademark? Learn about the three different types of trademarks available, how to search for existing trademarks, and where to apply for them in this class.
-
Copyrights 101: What They Are and How to Get One
Do you want to protect your song, poem, book, blog, photo, video, sound recording or painting with a copyright? Watch this class to learn what copyrights are and how to get one.
Upcoming Events
Online Resources
See these curated resources for more information about intellectual property (IP).
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
-
Patent & Trademark Resource Centers (PTRC)
Links to the more than 80 other PTRCs in the U.S. and its territories
- Upcoming Free Patent & Trademark Events at the USPTO
Legal Resources in Philadelphia and Beyond
Resources & Services
Present and provide free and low-cost workshops and programs.
We have print materials, brochures, and pathfinders to help you with the patent and trademark application process, and can also assist with questions about pro bono (free) legal help.
Computers are available for patent and trademark researchers to access USPTO databases for trademark and patent searching, including the new Patent Public Search database.
Please contact the Government Publications Department (215-686-5330/5396) or Music Department (215-686-5316) of the Free Library of Philadelphia for information on copyrights.