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Patents and Trademarks : Overview

A guide to information on patents and trademarks, patent searching, inventor resources and UW intellectual property resources.

Get Patent Help!

Steenbock Library is a USPTO Patent & Trademark Resource Center. Read about our Patents & Trademark services.

For questions or to set up an appointment, email asksteenbock@library.wisc.edu or call (608) 262-3007.

Get Help from PSET Team

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Physical Science & Engineering Team | Science & Engineering Libraries

Email: AskSEL@library.wisc.edu
Schedule a Consultation


Ariel Andrea | Chemistry

Dave Bloom | Steenbock Library

Anne Glorioso | Steenbock Library

Erin Thomas | Steenbock Library

What Is a Patent?

A patent is a grant of property right by the government to an inventor preventing others from making, using, or selling a new and useful invention for a period of 20 years from application date.

The following video explains patents and the patent process.


How are patents different from trademarks and copyrights?

The following video explains the differences between the major types of intellectual property protection.


Why search patents?

Searching patents during the design process can help you:

  • Determine if your idea is novel
  • Identify areas you may need to design around to avoid infringement
  • Find inventors (technical experts) with whom to collaborate
  • Find inventions that are free to use because of expired or unissued patents
  • Monitor emerging designs in a technology area that may not be published elsewhere
  • Identify key companies in a technology area who may be interested in your design.

Key Information

The most comprehensive source for U.S. patent and trademark information is the website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:

Intellectual Property Micro-Courses

undefinedUW Libraries has developed two open access micro-courses that provide in-depth information on intellectual property: