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The term "Patent and Trademark Depository Library" (PTDL) refers to a library which (1) has acquired or is in the process of acquiring a collection of U.S. patent and trademark documents and (2) has established certain understandings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding the library's obligations concerning maintenance of a patent and trademark collection, public accessibility to that collection, and services offered by the library which afford its effective use. Recognition as a PTDL is derived from the provisions of Title 35, Section 12 of the U.S. Code, which allows for the distribution of patent copies to libraries for an annual statutory fee of $50. This fee relates only to current issues of patents which are distributed to all PTDLs on optical disc. To become a Patent and Trademark Depository Library, a library must subscribe to the following obligations:
Since 1988, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been disseminating its Cassis data base to all PTDLs in electronic disc format at no cost. Cassis provides access to the most current patent classification information, term searching through a limited range of patent titles and abstracts, and name searching through a limited range of inventor and company names. Other products distributed to all PTDLs include various TRADEMARKS files and the ASSIST disc which provides searching through: the Manual of Classification, the Classification Definitions, the Index to U.S. Patent Classification, the Attorneys and Agents Registered to Practice Before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and other pertinent information. Numerous other electronic products have been distributed to the PTDLs on a pilot basis. A work station to access these products is provided by the PTO to all PTDLs. As a final note, it should be understood that a 20-year collection of patents will provide a resource for general patent searching of more recent technology, but it will be of limited value for comprehensive general patent searching. A library which aims to serve the total needs of the public effectively would need to acquire a more extensive back file collection of patents. See the Core Collection of Reference Materials and Tools for a list of materials and tools held in PTDLs. Contact the PTDLP Office for more information.
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