The Millionaire Mind Support Network™

5-Steps from Idea to Product

The more time I spent on the StartUpNation website, the more I was impressed by both the wide variety of the business topics cover and the depth in which they are examined. The StartUpNation information guides are clearly written in a step-by-step format.

I have a passion for invention.

Invention development and licensing expert, Russell Williams, president and co-founder of InventionHome.com provides the best and simplest advice on going major league with great product ideas. His 5-Step process: Idea Conception, Basic Invention Market Research, Prototype Design & Development, Protecting the Invention, and Licensing and Going to Market is an outstanding article and if you are planning to bring a new product idea or process.

Inventing: Items of Interest

• “Commercial your Invention” information package (free) StartupNation members, get your free information package to help with each step in commercializing your invention.(get free package)

• 10 Tips for Landing a Product Licensing DealInventors can either build a new company to commercialize their product, or they can license their product to an existing company…(read more)

• All About Inventing Read articles, listen to podcasts, and find everything you need to know about inventing.(visit the topic)

• Have Invention, Will License It StartupNation chief startupologist, Rich Sloan, does a deep dive with mom inventor, Sue Yellowtail. (listen in)

• Forum: Commercializing your Invention Network, discuss, and read conversations from StartupNation members about commercializing inventions.(visit the forum)

• Getting an Invention Prototype Built OK, you know you need an invention prototype and you know how you’re going to use it. Now you need to actually get the thing built. Here’s some advice about where to turn for help.(visit the forum)

Helpful Business Links For Your Million Dollar Idea

Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks:

The USPTO
The USPTO is the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It is a vast and reliable resource for protecting your idea. From finding the correct forms you need to finding the right patent for you, the USPTO is an invaluable resource. Spend some time sifting through the pages and doing your patent homework!

Inventor Resources and Information

Find a Registered Patent Attorney In Your Area
Protecting your idea is always the biggest first step you can take. The questions everyone has is “How do I protect my idea?” or “Can I even patent this?”… as everyone’s situation and idea is different the best way to get information catered to your idea is to visit a patent attorney. It’s their JOB to give advice and make sure your idea is protected by US and international law, and you can be sure that any USPTO-registered attorney is not out to steal your idea. Also, MOST attorneys will offer a FREE exploratory meeting to determine what sorts of protection you need, how much it will cost and whether there is already an existing product out there. For any personalized patent questions, the best resource for your needs is most likely a skilled patent attorney! Start searching now!

The Library of Congress Copyright Office
A Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.

Copyright FAQ

Trademark Central
A trademark includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name.

Helpful Resources For Finding Trade Shows:

“The Ultimate Trade Show Directory”

the world’s leading online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry since 1996. The Trade Show News Network (TSNN) owns and operates the most widely consulted event database on the Internet, containing data on more than 15,000 trade shows, exhibitions, public events and conferences. It also offers over 360,000 seminars through a strategic partnership.

Biz Trade Shows

It is Largest Online Directory of trade fairs and business events which brings you a comprehensive coverage of exhibitions, trade shows, expositions, conferences and seminars for various industries worldwide. This dedicated platform having more then 1000 tradeshows organizers with their 6000+ live trade events.

Trade Show Week

For over 36 years, Tradeshow Week® has been the voice of the exhibition industry, serving thousands of global companies and business leaders around the world.

Financing Help For Your Small Business:

US Small Business Administration
About The SBA: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation

SBA Grants

SBA Loans

Government Grants

National Venture Capital Association

Helpful Manufacturing Tools:

US Government’s Manufacturer’s Toolbox

Manufacturing and Services (MAS) is a unit of the International Trade Administration, and is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, expanding its market access, and increasing exports.

ThomasNet

Alibaba.com
An independent website that allows you to connect with international manufacturers to begin production and manfacturing of your product on a larger scale.

Elance.com

Elance is a place where businesses connect with professionals to get work done now. With the largest network of rated and certified business professionals, Elance facilitates the entire work process from hiring to collaboration to payment.Businesses use Elance to achieve more by finding great people and getting work done in a new way.

Popular Business Networking Sites:

StarupNation

StartupNation is a free service founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. The site was created to be your one-stop shop for entrepreneurial success, and we’re thrilled that StartupNation has grown to be the leading online content and community resource for entrepreneurs.It’s our belief that everyone can —and should—own a business, whether full-time or part-time. Our mission is to help you do just that!

Linkedin

Your professional relationships are key to your professional success. Our mission is to help you be more effective in your daily work and open doors to opportunities using the professional relationships you already have.This isn’t networking—it’s what networking should be.

Zoominfo
ZoomInfo is the premier business information search engine, with profiles on more than 37 million people and 3.5 million companies. ZoomInfo delivers fresh and organized information on industries, companies, people, products, services and jobs.

Do you have a favorite business resource? Share it with your fellow millionaire minded entrepreneurs.

Millionaire Minds Support Each Others Business Growth!

Live Well and Prosper

You Are Destined to Be One of Them!

A recent LA Times’ article documents the ascendancy of alternative business models in Hollywood. Successful filmmakers — Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, John Lasseter, George Lucas—have worked outside the traditional studio system, starting their own companies and producing great movies while avoiding meddling studio bosses.

The “Hook-up” between venture capital and Hollywood’s ‘creative class’, is allowing an increasing number of creative types to bypass the vaunted studio system and get direct funding for their creative projects. It is widely acknowledged that using the Internet to market and distribute independent films is low cost and incredibly effective. Internet buzz and ingenious use of viral marketing contributed to the phenomenal success of The Secret earlier this year.

Securing direct funding gives independent filmmakers and writers creative control of their projects. This process challenges the established studio system. The independent producer paradigm parallels the Silicon Valley’s startup culture. Writers are keeping control of their intellectual property and producing their projects independently with venture capital. The Silicon Valley’s influence extends beyond an active and enthusiastic venture funding pool. The other prime driver of the independent producer movement is affordable and increasingly more assessable technology. Technological change always affects the existing business model. Historically, those enterprises that can’t adapt, or won’t compete just go away — think buggy whips and button hooks.

The Internet is being used to successfully market and distribute films like ‘The Secret’ and other original songs, books, business products. As the ‘Cluetrain Manifesto’ predicted, it is easier to identify and reach a market that is passionate about a specific product and are willing to support it online or ‘In Real Life’. By skillful use of the Internet, early-adapter entrepreneurs are challenging traditional business models and marketing their products directly to their eager target market.

Most successful online businesses sell information in one form or another — books, reports, training courses, entertainment products. Facilitating access to information and entertainment, by bypassing the traditional gatekeepers, is the philosophy behind the Cluetrain Manifesto. The crucial component to consistent online profitability is maintaining an unwavering focus on your user, visitor and reader. Do that and all the rest — the Search Engine Optimization, web design that maximizes Return On Investment, fall into place as a natural consequence. It is all about the customer, the end-user and adding value. Profit, business success, financial freedom all rest on the value added to products and services.

What’s In It For Me!

Many of the Millionaire Mind Intensive Graduates are looking for ways to either monetize aspects of an existing businesses or investigating various passive income stream opportunities. I want to encourage you to carefully examine your own “Big Ideas” those wishes, dreams, secrete aspirations as possible seeds for your financial freedom tree. Each of us has unique knowledge that can help other people. Start by doing some online research, Google your field of interest, study what is already out there, look for ways you can “Add Value” to the market. There is no limit to how the Web can be utilized — even raising investor capital has become easier by using sources like www.prosper.com

Knowledge workers, writers, musicians, artists, business and life coaches can all sell their intellectual property directly to their customers online. The future belongs to a tantalizing new hyphenate — the writer-entrepreneur, artists-turned-business professionals. Folks just like you, who start their business enterprises to market their Big Idea and incidentally become financially independent by creating a business paradigm operates under a radically different set of rules.

Here Are A Few Inspiration Seeds for Your Financial Freedom Tree

After barely a year in existence, YouTube was bought by Google for $1.65 billion.
On the Internet, good ideas travel fast.

“The world is about to change. Anyone with an Apple computer can make a movie now — it’s never been a more democratic medium. The studios should be very afraid. Once the independent financiers start going directly to writers, things could change really fast. I ask myself every week — why aren’t we all working with them?
Look at the movies they’ve made. They are the new Medicis.”

—Scott Frank,
Writer “Minority Report” and Director “The Woodsman”

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

I Model Rich and Successful People

If they can do it, I can do it!”

I Choose To Model Joe and Jack

Since the Millionaire Mind Intensive weekend, I have looked for successful Internet entrepreneurs to model. The movie, “The Secret”, made choosing a rich and successful Internet entrepreneur easy. I just signed up to be on every one of “The Secret’s” teacher’s mailing lists.

As you might expect, each of “The Secret” teachers have an authentic message. I seem to resonate with the message and marketing tone of Joe Vitale and Jack Canfield. I found that I looked forward to their emails, blog entries and special training offers. Their pitches, and this is about developing residual and passive income streams, so these messages are indeed pitches, intrigued me. Not just because I was studying their structure, but I felt that what they were offering would help me improve my business and myself. Of all “The Secret” teachers, they combined just the right amount of spiritual practice with real business savvy. Joe is a marketing maven. Jack is more a process and systems guy. Both have infused spirit into their every aspect of their work. Reading their stuff and listening to their audio programs I felt the energy, passion and joy, it is obvious. I found myself wishing to be like them and that, as I understand it, is the making of a real, live, Model.

I’m starting out my ‘modeling process’ by reading all of their books, haunting their websites, studying every email offer that they send me and I’ve studied their UTUBE videos.

I know that our own Prosperity Guy, Chris Sherrod, models Richard Branson.

Does anyone have any modeling processes they would like to share with the rest of our network? Who have you picked? How are you modeling that person?

Has anyone been using visualization or meditation in his or her modeling practice?

I’ll let you know how my modeling progresses.

Millionaire Minds Model Rich and Successful People!

H. Sandra Chevalier-Batik
Copyright © Serendal Research Institute 2007

All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Do you have a question for any of the Millionaire Minds Team?

Drop me a line at sbatik@mymillionairemind.org and you may see your question answered in an upcoming blog or featured in our Millionaire Minds Forum.

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Monetize, Monetize, Monetize!

Like everyone else who participated in the Millionaire Mind Intensive, I left that training session with the words, MONETIZATION! RESIDUAL INCOME! and PASSIVE INCOME! etched in capital letters on my frontal lobe.

Those of us with service businesses had that dazed look normally reserved for small animals in the direct path of an oncoming vehicle.

Yuppers, I felt like I had an armadillo expiration date, stamped right across my forehead.

My partner and I own two businesses — a Graphic Design firm, Pleiades Publishing Services and a Market Research group, Serendal Research Institute. Although both these business have supported us for over 20-years, the Millionaire Mind Intensive brought home a sobering fact. We had not built sustainable businesses. No, we had simply provided ourselves with nice paying jobs. After all these years, we came to the realization that we were not business owners — we were self-employed.

What is the difference? We do not make income unless we were producing either words or pictures. Just like a dentist is not making money unless he has his hands in your mouth or a massage therapist isn’t earning income unless she is providing healing touch to a client. A business enterprise works while you are sleeping, or at a three-day, life changing seminar.

Based on the hall conversations, I’d estimate that over 50% of the folks who attended the Millionaire Mind Intensive left with the knowledge that their existing economic model was seriously flawed. The good news was that the trainer did give us with some suggestions for monetizing those models to build both passive and residual income.

Some folks with service business planned to add complementary product lines to their ventures. During informal networking, some participants shared MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) opportunities that could offer both residual and passive income. If you look through the My Millionaire Mind Support Network™ Directory you will see a number of MLM opportunities.
For the more introverted members of our group, those of us not fond of IRL (In Real Life) meetings, finding ways to expand our business though the Internet seemed a more natural fit.

Of course at the very minute I write this I can hear T. Harv’s voice in my head, “You don’t like face to face sales? You’re afraid to make a sales call — YOU’RE BROKE!”

However, he is also a big proponent of “Baby-Steps” as long as you are moving forward, pursuing your goal with integrity.

For a certain percentage of us, an Internet based business may be the best monetization solution for building a passive income stream. Some retail business are expanding their business on the net though venues like eBay or setting up their own e-commerce sites. Some of us, who are sometimes classified as “knowledge workers”, are examining the development of information products, such as ebooks and training courses.

As I started my internet-based businesses research, I found myself humming (if one can hum hip-hop) Will Smith’s “Wild, Wild, West”.

A common business truism states, “When a person with money meets a person with experience, the person with experience ends up with the money and the person with money ends up with an experience!”

One way to avoid such an unsatisfactory exchange is education — the ability to learn from the experience of others.

In the movie the Secret, the teachers often said that abundance liked speed. To make insure the Universe’s fast response is headed in the right direction, Millionaire Minds are very fond of EDUCTION.

Since I’m a professional research analyst who has been working on the internet since it was DARPA Net (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), I thought to document my own internet marketing education and share my findings with you.

I’ll report on my internet marketing research in future “Wild, Wild Net” posts. If some of you are already enjoying success using the internet to build or expand your business model, please share your insights with us. We want to celebrate each other’s successes with the same enthusiasm we had during the Millionaire Mind Intensive.

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks —

Protecting Your Ideas or Inventions From Others’ Infringement

Name, Name, Who Has The Name

I am worried about using a name for my business that someone else may already be using. How would I go about researching a name I want to use for my new business?

There are a number of sources that you can use to research an existing business name. The following is a list of some of the most common places to begin your search:

• Start with your county to see if the name has been registered as a DBA.
• Check with your state to see if the name has been taken by an existing corporation or limited liability company.
• Perform an Internet search of the name you are interested in; use various search engines.
• Conduct a free trademark search at http://www.nameprotect.com/

The online resources available today help make the naming process for a new business enterprise or product so much easier than the “bad ol’ days. A business owner / inventory can do research in a few minutes that would have required weeks and a sizable investment only a decade ago.

God Bless Google and all of their friends!

Just a reminder — I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday In Express last night. I’m just a retired SBDC counselor, who knows where to look stuff up — both online and IRL. In this case my source is the SBA.

Sources: SBA Publications

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks —

Protecting Your Ideas or Inventions from Others’ Infringement

Inventions

Support for and protection of inventors is a big topic and one we will spend more time on in future blog entries. Based on the questions and comments I’ve received off-line, the Millionaire Mind Support Network™ members are a busy and creative lot. With our site still in beta, I know it is easier to just call me, I know we all look forward to having the network’s questions and comments posted directly to our Millionaire Mind Support Network™ Forum. Until all the posting bugs are banished, please feel free to call with questions or comments.

Can you give me some information on companies that can help with my invention?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office site offers information and resource information. However they have an inventors forum that can be a great help to beginner inventors with their first product as well as a venue for successful inventors to share knowledge and enjoy hanging with like minded folks.

In the inventor support Chat Room you will find private and public research and development companies that help inventors develop, patent, and promote their ideas so they can be commercially licensed or sold. While many of these organizations are legitimate, some are not. Here are seven tips to help you make smart invention development decisions:

• Learn About the Patent Process. When you understand the basics of how to get a patent, you will know when invention marketers are making promises they or the patent system can’t deliver.
• Do Your Homework. Check the organization’s references, ask for credentials, and then check them.
• Be Realistic. Not every invention is patentable. Be wary of any developer willing to promote virtually any invention.
• Know Where Your Money Is Going. Ask the organization how your money will be spent. Be on guard against large upfront fees.
• Protect Your Rights. DO NOT disclose your invention to a developer over the phone before first signing a confidentiality agreement. You could forfeit valuable patent rights.
• Track Your Invention’s Progress. Once you decide to use an invention-development organization, deal directly with the agent or patent attorney who will be handling your patent application.
• Don’t Get Discouraged! The patent process can be very complicated, so you will probably need professional help. There are many good patent agents and attorneys that can help you. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a nationwide register of attorneys and agents who meet our legal, scientific, and technical requirements.

Do I need a patent attorney or agent to file my patent application?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) strongly recommends that all prospective applicants retain the services of a registered patent attorney or patent agent to prepare and prosecute their applications. For information on registered patent attorneys and agents in your area, you may visit the USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline Web site

Upon request, the USPTO will send information that provides a broad overview of the process of obtaining a United States patent. They will include general requirements and a listing of the Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries.

Just a reminder — I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday In Express last night. I’m just a retired SBDC counselor, who knows where to look stuff up — both online and IRL. In this case my source is the SBA.

Source:SBA Publications

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks —

Protecting Your Ideas or Inventions from Others’ Infringement

What exactly is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property is an umbrella term for various legal entitlements which attach to certain names, written and recorded media, and inventions. The holders of these legal entitlements may exercise various exclusive rights in relation to the subject matter of the Intellectual property. The term intellectual property reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect. The term implies that intellectual works are analogous to physical property and is consequently a matter of some controversy. (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

What is a patent and how do I know if my invention is eligible for a patent?

A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patent holders have the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention described in the patent deed. The intent of patents is to give the developer of a new product time to recover development expenditures and startup costs without having to fight competition. Eligibility Patents cannot be obtained for inventions that have been publicly disclosed, are in use, or marketed in the United States for one year prior to the filing of the patent application. Secondly, a thorough patent search, preferably done by a professional, must be conducted to make certain that the applicant’s idea hasn’t already been patented.

What is a provisional patent?

Provisional applications are like temporary placeholders; they allow inventors to file inexpensively without a formal patent claim, oath, or declaration. Once the application is filed, the applicant has one year to investigate the feasibility, marketability, patentability, and potential license interest of the invention before deciding to file a formal patent application. Meanwhile, the term patent pending can be applied to the invention, and the inventor enjoys a calendar edge on other inventors who may file for the same invention.

What exactly does copyright protect?

Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. For more information refer go to the U.S. Copyright Office.

Just a reminder — I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday In Express last night. I’m just a retired SBDC counselor, who knows where to look stuff up — both online and IRL. In this case my source is the SBA.

Sources: SBA Publications

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks —

Protecting Your Ideas or Inventions from Others’ Infringement

Is the name of a band a trademark?

Yes, band names would be considered trademarks, or more appropriately service marks, for entertainment services in the nature of performances by a [type of music specified] band.

Can a minor file a trademark application?

This depends upon state law. If the person can validly enter into binding legal obligations in the state, then that person may sign a trademark application. Otherwise, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application, clearly setting forth their status as a parent or legal guardian of the applicant.

Can the ownership of a trademark be assigned or transferred from one person to another?

Yes. A registered mark, or a mark for which an application to register has been filed is assignable. Written assignments may be recorded in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a fee. Specific inquiries should be referred to the Assignment Division at 703-308-9723.

How do I file a trademark and/or contact Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)?

When filing papers of any kind with the PTO, include a stamped, self-addressed postcard listing the mark, the serial number or registration number (if known), and the contents of the filing, such as the drawing page, 3 specimens, a check for the fee, etc.

• Carefully review all documents before filing to make sure all issues have been addressed and all the necessary elements are included.
• Do not file large or bulky specimens. They not only take up a lot of space in the PTO, but must be maintained apart from the rest of the file and tend to get lost. Rather, submit a picture of the mark on the specimen. Bulky specimens are specimens that are larger than 8 1/2″ by 11″ and which do not lie flat. The PTO encourages applicants to send photographs of the goods, as long as the mark is clear from the photograph.
• Place the serial number or registration number (once known) on each paper or exhibit filed, including any required checks. If, for some reason neither number is available, please put some other identifying information on the correspondence (e.g., mark, name of applicant, filing date).
• Inform the PTO of any change in correspondence address as soon as possible.
• Use the status line (703-305-8747) to check on the status of any application.

Just a reminder — I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday In Express last night. I’m just a retired SBDC counselor, who knows where to look stuff up — both online and IRL. In this case my source is the SBA.

Source: SBA Publications

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks —

Protecting your Ideas or Inventions from Others’ Infringement

How long does a trademark registration last?

For a trademark registration to remain valid, an Affidavit of Use (”Section 8 Affidavit”) must be filed between the fifth and sixth year following registration. Assuming that an affidavit of use is timely filed, registrations granted PRIOR to November 16, 1989 have a 20-year term, and registrations granted on or after November 16, 1989 have a 10-year term. This is also true for the renewal periods; renewals granted PRIOR to November 16, 1989 have a 20-year term, and renewals granted on or after November 16, 1989 have a 10-year term.

What is the fee for filing a trademark application?

Effective January 31, 2005, trademark fees are as follows:
Initial Application
$325 per international class if using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)

Is there a lower filing fee for small businesses?

No. The filing fee is $325 per class.

What is the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)?

The Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) is the name given to a project of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) Trademark Operation, whereby the PTO will be accepting applications for U.S. trademark registrations online in the future. To view a preliminary version of TEAS, click on http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm — PrinTEAS. This site was established to explore the potential of accepting customers’ documents electronically. The Office is presently studying the various possibilities for handling signatures, encryption, and other security concerns, payment options, and other related issues in order to produce the most stable, secure, and user-friendly system possible.

How do I contest someone else using a trademark similar to mine?

There are several ways to dispute use of your trademark by a third party. Depending on the factual situation, the Trademark Office may or may not be the proper forum. You should consider contacting an attorney, preferably one specializing in trademark law. Local bar associations and the yellow pages usually have attorney listings broken down by specialties. Time can be of the essence.

What is a PTDL (Patent and Trademark Depository Library)?

A Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) is a library which is designated by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to receive and house copies of US patents and patent and trademark materials, to make them available to the public and to disseminate both patent and trademark information.

To be designated, a library must meet specific requirements and promise to fulfill certain obligations. Patents and trademarks (word marks only) may be searched at the PTDLs. Please note that the Patent and Trademark Depository Librarians cannot give any legal advice nor can they perform the searches for you. They will, however, provide you with the information you need to get started.

Just a reminder — I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday In Express last night. I’m just a retired SBDC counselor, who knows where to look stuff up — both online and IRL. In this case my source is the SBA.

Source:SBA Publications

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2007
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!