Links for Intro to Patent Searching Class at SFPL

For local readers, don't forget that we're having a hands-on introduction to patent searching at uspto.gov tomorrow at the Main Library from 2-3:30.

I'm going to use this space to post the pertinent links that participants will use during the session. If you can't make it yourself, these links will take you to some key sites for conducting a preliminary patent search.

1. USPTO Homepage
   
2. Espacenet
3. Patent Lens
4. Patent Scope
5. Index to the USPC
6. Patent Classification
7. Pat2PDF
   

Patent search program at SFPL 5/1

You are cordially invited to a hands-on introduction to patent searching next week, May 1st, at the Main Library from 2-3:30. On the agenda will be a brief introduction to patents, an overview of patent classification searching, and, time permitting, some Q and A. It's the patent-related social event of the weekend and it is happening right here in the 5th Floor Training Center.

See you there!

Happy World Book and Copyright Day

From UNESCO:

23 April: a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

(Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same day?! That's like a 17th century version of the Big Bopper/Richie Valens/Buddy Holly plane crash.)

Today is World Book and Copyright Day! This year's theme is "International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. I celebrated by immediately reaching for one of my favorite books and looking up "rapprochement."

According to UNESCO, the inspiration for this celebration came from a Catalonian tradition in which booksellers give customers a rose on St. George's Day.

Here's a link to a list of celebrations happening around the world.

Happy World Book and Copyright Day!

British Digital Economy Bill, net neutrality ruling a sign of tightening IP enforcement?

Two news stories from last week may provide a peek into the future of the way government and corporations deal generally with content on the Internet and more specifically with copyrighted material.

First, last week's ruling by a Federal circuit court that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not have the right to regulate the way Internet Service Providers (ISP) control their networks. The FCC had asserted that an ISP could not restrict or prioritize access to networks based on a users' use of bandwidth; the court ruled that the ISPs can manage their networks without FCC oversight. At issue here is what pundits have named net neutrality, which describes a hands-off approach to Internet regulation that has thus far been favored by the Federal government. A question raised by this ruling is whether ISPs might identify and restrict users who download copyrighted materials. Follow the link for a discussion about the ruling on KQED's Forum.

Across the Atlantic, the British government pushed through legislation that will open the door to tracking and restricting Internet users who illegally download copyright-protected materials. Under the legislation, British telecommunications regulator Ofcom would pursue measures to reduce bandwidth or suspend access to the Internet for copyright scofflaws, should illegal downloads not drop by at least 70% over the next year. BBC News has put together an informative FAQ about the controversial legislation.

"I’m Mark Trademan, Trademark Information Network. We now return you to your regularly scheduled trademark application filing."

The USPTO is on a roll with new resources for independent businesses. You'll remember the new backlog reduction plan and small inventor newsletter.

Next up is the new Trademark Information Network, a series of videos designed to help the novice trademark filer successfully register a mark without wasting too much time or money.

The first in the series of videos, "Newsflash: Before You File" is a lighthearted overview of the very basics of trademark registrations. The video raises important issues -- how to identify the applicant on an application, how to determine goods and services, which filing basis to use, and how long registration might take -- that will be covered in subsequent videos.

Stay tuned in to Trademark News Network this summer for more of these videos.

"Make Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable"

Do it twice, do it nice? No way, not at the Copyright Office!

I came across this firm but polite reminder to cross your t's and dot your i's on your copyright application while browsing the US copyright registration information mother lode that is the list of copyright circulars and factsheets available at copyright.gov.

I'm sure I've mentioned these publications in this space before, but I can't overstate how useful these things are for helping people at the library find the information they need to know to register a work.

It makes sense, if you think about it. The Copyright Office processes hundreds of thousands of applications each year (and registering new applications is only one of many functions of the office), so it's in their best interest to clearly explain application procedures so that applicants can provide accurate and correct applications on the first try.

The dedication to educating applicants is clear in some of these, not riveting, but let's say helpful titles to circulars:

"The Effects of Not Sending a Timely Reply to Copyright Office Correspondence"

"Blanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright"

"Copyright Registration for Multimedia Works"

"How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments Using Pay.gov"

There are dozens of these things! I'll let you in on a librarian secret: when people ask me about a copyright issue, this is usually the first place I'll go to find information for them.

Tell your friends!