Library helps with IP questions.

In his book, Intellectual Property Law for Engineers and Scientists, Howard B. Rockman says intellectual property (IP) "generically describes those intangible property rights--those you usually cannot see or touch--which are initially created by one's intellectual creative efforts." Companies competing in the global business world rely on many different tools to protect their IP. For example, patents protect chemical formulas and novel engineering designs; copyrights and trademarks protect advertising slogans and corporate logos.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) states that industry estimates place the loss of IP to businesses in the U.S. from $250 billion to 750,000 jobs per year. So, you're probably now asking yourself, "What can I do to protect the IP of my company?" The answer is education.

The USPTO has set up a website (http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/) to help small and medium sized companies deal with IP issues, including patents, copyrights and trademarks. If your company has been a victim of piracy or counterfeiting, there are links to help you report the theft to the proper authorities. There is also a list of frequently asked questions and copies of presentations by USPTO officials. In short, the site contains a wealth of information and is a great place to begin your IP research.

The Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDL) located throughout the United States are excellent resources for IP information (a complete list of libraries can be found at http://www.uspto.gov/go/ptdl/ptdlib_1.html). PTDL have copies of all U.S. patents and trademarks. Patent librarians are available to help you research issues related to patents and trademarks. There is no charge for the services.

Finally, the services of the Rubber Division, ACS, Library are available to members and non-members alike. I have access to numerous electronic databases on patents and trademarks. I can locate not only U.S. patent information, but also information from all the major patent granting organizations (EP, WIPO, etc.). The databases I access are much more comprehensive and retrospective than those freely available on the Internet. If you need help researching an IP question, feel free to contact me at the Rubbert Division library: Christopher [e-mail].