CONNECT with the CityPatent & Trademark Resource Center
About the Center
The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is an officially designated Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) that is part of a nationwide library network maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The Patent and Trademark Resource Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Central Library. You do not need to visit SDPL in-person to access search tools, but the library provides certain resources (e.g. a current collection of full-color Plant patents, and legal reference books) that are only accessible in-person.
Contact Us
PTRC Representatives are library staff who are information experts trained on how to use search tools to access patent and trademark information. Representatives can:
- Demonstrate how to use search tools to conduct a patent or trademark search
- Direct you to information and explain the application process and fee schedule
Please note: Patent searching often is a complicated process that may require the assistance of a patent attorney or patent agent. PTRC Representatives are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Staff can, however, direct you to lists of local patent attorneys who are licensed to practice before the USPTO.
For in-depth assistance, please contact Sarah Hendy-Jackson at shendyjackso@sandiego.gov or request an appointment below:
(Note: Sarah will be out of office Oct. 21 – 25)
Special Events
September 19, 2024 @ 11am – 12:00pm - The StartUp, San Diego Central Library (3rd floor)
Whether you're a business owner, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about intellectual property, this 60-minute course will equip you with the foundational knowledge you need to leverage trademark protection effectively. We'll cover the following topics:
- Definitions and types of trademarks
- Benefits of federal registration
- Selecting a trademark
- Filing and registration
- How to find additional help
What is a patent?
A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States” for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
This right was established over 200 years ago in Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution: “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”
For more details, visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office's introduction to patents.
How to Get Started
The below listed and downloadable documents will help get you started on your patent research process.
- 7 Step US Patent Search Strategy Guide
- How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search: a Step by Step Strategy (Tutorial Video)
Useful Websites
- United States Patent & Trademark Office - Learn about the patent application process. Search for patents and published patent applications. File your own patent application.
- Conociendo sobre la Propiedad Intelectual - En el presente site podrá encontrar información relevante sobre todos los aspectos de la propiedad intelectual. Para mayor información u orientación, favor visitar o hacer cita en el Centro de Recursos de Patentes y Marcas de la Biblioteca General del Recinto Univresitario de Mayagüez de la Universidad de Puerto Rico.
- European Patent Office - The official website of the European Patent Office (EPO). Find information on applying and searching for patents, legal issues on patents, patent grants, rules and regulations about European and international patent applications.
- WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization - WIPO is responsible for the promotion of the protection of intellectual property throughout the world through co-operation among States and for the administration of various multilateral treaties dealing with the legal and administrative aspects of intellectual property.
- Japan Patent Office - Learn about intellectual property in Japan.
U.S. Patent Search Tools
- Patent Public Search - Patent Public Search was created in 2022 to replace the Pub EAST and Pub WEST systems with a single, more robust online platform that provides the public access to search tools used by patent examiners.
- PAIR - Patent Application Information Retrieval - Get information about a patent application's status.
- Patent Assignment Search - Search for Patent Assignment information beginning August 1980.
- Official Gazette for Patents - The Official Gazette for Patents allows you to see patents issued each week and is available online for the past year. You can browse by classification or type of patent.
International Patent Search Tools
- Espacenet (EPO) - Search the European Patent Office database.
- Patentscope (WIPO) - Search for international patent documents.
- Industrial Property Digital Library (JPO) - Search Patent Abstracts of Japan.
- Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service - Search Korea's patent database.
What Is a Trademark or Servicemark?
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.
A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Throughout this guide, the terms "trademark" and "mark" refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Visit the USPTO's Trademark Basics page to learn more.
How to Get Started
The downloadable documents below will help get you learn more about trademarks and the trademark search process.
Videos about Trademarks
Watch the videos below to learn the basics about trademarks. More videos are available on the USPTO's Trademark Information Network (TMIN).
- Introduction to the USPTO and Trademark Basics
- Before You File
- Searching
- Applicant Information
- Drawing Issues
Useful Websites
- USPTO Trademarks - Start here for information about United States trademark searching and registration.
- California Trademarks - The State of California maintains its own trademark and service mark registry.
- International Trademark Association - Learn about trademark protection around the world.
- OHIM - Office for the Harmonization of the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs): The European Union agency responsible for registering trademarks and designs that are valid in all 27 countries of the EU.
- Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks - Learn about how to protect your mark in foreign countries.
Trademark Search Tools
- Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) - Search for registered trademarks and service marks in the United States.
- Design Search Code Manual - Find the codes needed to search for specific kinds of images in TESS.
- Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) - Use this database to obtain information about pending and registered trademarks.
- Official Gazette for Trademarks - The Official Gazette for Trademarks is issued each week. In addition to providing information about new marks, the Gazette lists cancelled and renewed registrations.
Trademark Symbols
A trademark can be claimed with the letters TM written in superscript: TM
A service mark can be claimed with the letters SM written in superscript: SM
A trademark or service mark that has been registered with the USPTO is signified by the letter R with a circle around it: ®
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.
Original works of authorship include 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, please see the U.S. Copyright Office's downloadable Copyright Basics.
Useful Websites
- United States Copyright Office - The home page of the U.S. Copyright Office. Learn about copyright; search for registrations; download forms; register your work online.
- Copyright Refresher - An overview of copyright from the USPTO.
- World Intellectual Property Organization - Copyright and Related Rights - Learn about copyright in an international context.
Copyright Search Tools
- Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Search records of registered books, music, art, and periodicals, and other works. Includes copyright ownership documents.
For registrations prior to 1978, please contact the Central Library.
Copyright Symbols
The copyright symbol for works other than sound recordings is the letter C with a circle around it: ©
The copyright symbol for sound recordings is the letter P with a circle around it: ℗
Small Business Resources
Provides local resource guide, workshops, mentoring, lending, contracting assistance
San Diego District Office
550 West C St., Suite 550, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-557-7250 or 619-727-4883
Provides free and low cost consulting and workshops.
South San Diego SBDC
880 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Phone: (619) 482-6391
Provides free workshops, consulting, and networking.
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110
Phone: (619) 260-4547
Provides free mentoring, webinars, networking events, low-cost workshops.
8825 Aero Dr., Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 283-1100 | Email: score0140@scorevolunteer.org
Provides free business accelerator program for low to moderate income entrepreneurs and diverse founders, mentorship, and co-working space.
Legal Resources
Provides free legal assistance in preparing and filing a patent application to financially under-resourced inventors and entrepreneurs.
Supervised law school students provide free legal assistance to eligible clients.
Find entire NOLO books and forms on patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, and creative arts & music. Follow the instructions to login.
Provides legal services to low-income entrepreneurs and eligible microbusinesses and nonprofit organizations.
707 Broadway, Suite 1400, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-235-5656, ext. 130 | Email: info@sdvlp.org
Business Names
What is a business name?
Before you can register your business name, it is important to determine your business entity or structure. A business entity is an ownership structure that impacts how the business is taxed, financed, owned, managed, run, and also protected by insurance. The California Secretary of State recommends that you consult a private attorney and tax accountant for guidance on determining the best entity type for your situation. A business entity can be formed in California by registering the entity through the Secretary of State.
For more information, visit the California Secretary of State website.
What is a fictitious business name?
If you plan to sell your products or services under a name that is not your official registered business name, you must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Recorder/County Clerk within 40 days of your first transacting business.
For more information, visit the San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk website.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the web address or URL where users can access a specific website. You can select an accredited domain registrar through the Internet's Network Information Center (InterNIC)’s Accredited Registrar Directory.
For more information, visit the InterNIC website.