Other Online Resources

The USPTO, patent practitioners, researchers, and professional associations in the area of patent law have made patent law resources and information freely available online.

Patent-office, Washington, D.C.--examiners at work / sketched by Theo. R. Davis. — Theo. R. Davis, artist. *Patent-office, Washington, D.C.--examiners at work.* 1869. Library of Congress Print and Photographs Division.

Some websites that may be of interest include:

USPTO Expanding the Innovation Ecosphere: Demystifying the Patent System
USPTO presentation slides providing a history and overview of intellectual property and the patent process.
USPTO Patent Process Overview
Resources on the patent application and maintenance process arranged in a series of steps by the USPTO.
Patent Law: A Handbook for Congress
A report from Congressional Research Service on patent law in the United States.
PCT – The International Patent System External
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions.
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) External
AIPLA was formed to maintain a high standard of professional ethics, to aid in the improvement in laws relating to intellectual property and in their proper interpretation by the courts, and to provide legal education to the public and to its members on intellectual property issues.
AIPLA - What is IP Law? External
A resource on Intellectual Property (IP) law for beginners from the AIPLA.
WIPO on Patents External
A resource explaining patents and patent law from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
NOLO on Patent Law External
An overview of patents and patent law from the NOLO website.
Cornell Legal Information Institute on Patents External
An overview of patents and patent law from the Legal Information Institute at the Cornell Law School.
Justia Intellectual Property Law Center - Patent Law External
An overview of patent law including types of patents, applications, appeals, and infringement proceedings from Justia.

Additionally, researchers may want to review patent blogs, which discuss recent patent cases, patent applications, and USPTO guidance. Examples of patent law blogs include:

Patent Law: A Beginner's Guide

Other Online Resources