Patents and Trademarks

The handout and tutorial with more details about the 7 step process are available near the bottom of this page.

A video presentation from the USPTO on the basics of doing a US patent search.

The best (and free!) introduction to patent information on the Internet. .

Launched Feb 1, 2022. This new search tool "provides more convenient, remote, and robust full-text searching of all U.S. patents and published patent applications."

Explore these quick reference guides from the USPTO to learn more about Patent Public Search tool. We recommend you start with the Search Overview.

The ProBoPat program connects low-income inventors with patent practitioners for patent preparation and prosecution legal services on a pro bono (free) basis as well as provides access to business consulting and training for bringing new ideas to market.
Eligible applicants are residents of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming who have an annual income of three times the federal poverty guidelines or less and who, in ProBoPat’s sole discretion, would benefit from the program.

The Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic (LEC) at BYU Laws accepts applications on an on going, rolling basis. While we hope that we can assist you, our resources are limited. If you have pressing legal needs, please do not wait for LEC assistance and seek other legal assistance (we are happy to help with referrals if you need them). The LEC is only staffed and available to assist entrepreneurs from late August through mid April.

For free legal assistance in other states, see the USPTO's website, which shows the nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that match volunteer patent professionals with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses for the purpose of securing patent protection.

The Pro Se Assistance Program provides outreach and education to applicants (also known as "pro se" applicants) who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent. USPTO employees cannot give legal advice. However, through increased assistance and resources for independent inventor and small business communities, the program aims to increase the quality of pro se applications and assist pro se applicants with making informed decisions regarding their patent applications.

The Public Search Facility (PSF) located in Alexandria, VA provides public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats including online, microfilm, and print. Trained staff are available to assist public users.

The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent assistance and information to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners and primary examiners who are available to answer questions and to help you make filing a patent application simple and efficient.

The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) assists customers with filing electronic patent application submissions via the EFS-Web and Patent Center, and with the review of patent applications in PAIR and Patent Center.