Have a question?
Librarians are available to answer your questions. Click on the Ask Us bubble for FAQs and contact options (chat, email, text, phone).
Legal Advice Disclaimer
PTRCs are able to instruct patrons in the use of databases and other information resources in order to enable patrons to conduct their own patent or trademark searches.
PTRCs are not able to conduct patent or trademark searches for patrons, as doing so could be considered legal advice. PTRCs are also prohibited from offering other types of legal advice, including opinions about whether an invention is patentable, specific classifications that should be considered, filing applications, or recommending a patent attorney.
A database of patent attorneys, searchable by geographic area, is available here.
COVID-19 Service Notice
Virtual consultations are currently available to all patrons by appointment. Please email library@mtu.edu to schedule. Assistance with searching PubEAST and PubWEST is temporarily suspended. For current information about the campus response to COVID-19 please see mtu.edu/covid-19/
Welcome to the PTRC
The Van Pelt and Opie Library at Michigan Technological University is home to the Upper Peninsula's only Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). Each of the 83+ PTRCs in the nation are part of a nationwide network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to support the public with trademark and patent assistance.
All services are available to the public and to Michigan Tech students, faculty, and staff at no charge.
Services include:
- Appointments for searching help with trained librarians
- Access to PubEAST and PubWEST, two robust patent searching databases only available at PTRCs
- Patent and trademark searching workshops
- Books and other informational resources on patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property issues