Are you an inventor, an entrepreneur, a student or a researcher? Are you curious about patents or are thinking about filing a patent application to protect your invention? Before you talk to a manufacturer or the public about your invention, it is wise to get your idea protected. A good patent search will help you identify prior art references that are critical to the patentability of your invention. In this class, you will learn the patent basics as well as patent search strategies through patent search examples. Handouts are included. The class contains two parts:

• Part One: Introduction to patents (including patentability requirements, identification of patent documents, patent classifications and patent search strategies)
• Part Two: Patent search exercises (including classification search using USPTO's PatFT/AppFT, and EPO's Espacenet; Hybrid search using classifications and keywords)

We are offering this patent class on a monthly basis. Please choose a date that works for you:

• Tue., March 19, 2019, 12-2 p.m.
• Tue., April 23, 2019, 12-2 p.m.
• Tue., May 21, 2019, 12-2 p.m.

Prerequisites: Preview the 7-Step patent search strategy video by the USPTO before coming to class

These classes, offered by the Georgia Tech Patent and Trademark Resource Center, Georgia Tech Library, are open to everyone on the Georgia Tech campus as well as to the public. Virtual classes may be arranged by request to remote students and inventors who cannot come on site. For more information, please email: patentscoordinator@library.gatech.edu

Location: Georgia Tech Library, Crosland Tower Room 2130, 266 4th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

Directions & Parking Information

Visitors need to use one of the visitor parking lots on campus. The closest parking spaces are Visitor Area 2 or Area 3, near the Student Center (350 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332). More questions about directions? Call the library services desk at 404-894-4500.