The Role of the Patent and Trademark Librarian in the Digital Age

Karen Stanley GriggNorth Carolina State University Libraries

The changing digital world requires Patent and Trademark Depository Librarians to serve new ways roles in providing access to patent and trademark services and collections.

Presentation Topics

Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP)

Stakeholders Time and Location- Independent

Services and Collections Evaluation of USPTO searching tools Changing Roles of the Patent and

Trademark Librarian

What is the PTDLP?

PTDLP launched in 1871. Purpose- to decentralize patent and

trademark information. Originally 22 libraries, now 4 times

that amount. Half of PTDLs are public, half

academic.

Who are the stakeholders?

Faculty As inventors As instructors

Students As inventors As scholars

Extension Community General Public

Evolution of USPTO Searching Tools

Print tools until 1988. CASSIS system launched in 1988. USPTO web site launched in 1996. CASSIS concurrently maintained

along with Web database.

Traditional Service Model

Undistributed. Not time and location- independent. In academic library, main focus on

external patrons. Little time left to promote patent

and trademark information to internal patrons.

Can we apply distance learning model to PTDLP?

Universities showing growing commitment to time and location-independent services.

This model is successful with students- why not use with services to outside patrons?

Geographical separation of patrons from PTDL.

Independent inventor a good candidate to be a distance learner

Inventors autonomous and self-directed.

Number of Americans with internet access increasing dramatically.

Home computer users have high expectations of what the Web can deliver.

Evaluation of USPTO Searching Tools

By 2000, the USPTO added all U.S. patent images back to 1790. However… full text searchability limited. TIFF format used- requires separate

plug-in. prints one page at a time.

USPTO is maintaining upkeep for two separate search systems.

CASSIS interface difficult to use and unavailable remotely.

Changing Roles of Librarians in Digital Environment

New roles emerging: Technological Liaison Curriculum Advisor Trainer Advocate for patrons to the

USPTO

Technological Liaison

Creation of matrix that identifies questions that can and cannot be answered remotely.

Creation of support tools web sites multimedia tutorials

Partnership with USPTO to enhance search tools and collections.

Examples of helpful tools

Patent Search Tutorial and Information - University of Texashttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/engin/patent-tutorial/index.htm

NCSU Libraries: North Carolina’s Patent and Depository Library Partner. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ptdl/

Curriculum Advisor

Partnerships with: Instruction librarians Relevant departments and faculty

Curriculum- integrated instruction model allows for building these skills into the curriculum.

Role as Trainer

Decentralized service model requires greater competencies of all reference staff.

Tiered service model.

Tiered Service Model

Three tiers: First tier should be required of all

reference staff. Second tier will be distributed to

“backups”. The third tier - patent and trademark

subject specialist. Begins with understanding of two types of

patent questions- known and unknown….

Known Patent Questions

Patron is looking for something believed to exist. Known Patent Questions are often easiest for

beginners. Some examples:

“My great-grandfather invented a widget in the 1920s or 1930s and I am trying to find a record of the patent.”

“This journal article references US Patent number 5,146,634 and I need a copy of the patent.”

“I am trying to print a list of all the trademarks held by Ocean Spray Corporation.”

Unknown Patent Questions

Usually exist when researching the uniqueness of invention or trademark and searching for prior art.

Challenges: Complexity- must use classification

system. Legal issues- cannot give any legal advice. Unlike most searches, goal is to NOT find

results.

Development of Tiered Service Model

Competencies, all Reference Staff (Tier One)

The ability to… Conduct the reference interview; Assist patrons with basic known

patent and trademark questions; and

Identify and assist patentability patrons.

Tier Two Reference Staff

All of the competencies expected of Tier One Reference Staff plus:

The ability to: Use print indexes for more complex

questions; Handle patrons with more challenging

patentability questions; and Assist when reference staff are

overwhelmed by other desk traffic.

Patent and Trademark Librarian

All of the competencies expected of Tier One and Tier Two Reference Staff plus:

The ability to: Handle difficult reference questions

that Tier One or Tier Two Reference Staff have not been able to answer.

Provide reference training.

Patent and Trademark Librarian, cont.

Integrate patent and trademark instruction into the curriculum where appropriate;

Maintain patent and trademark collections;

Administer the duties the USPTO requires of PTDLs; and

Serve as an advocate to the USPTO for patron needs.

Advocate for Patrons to the USPTO

Communication with USPTO about patron needs. CASSIS- still necessary? Full text availability. Navigability of USPTO web.

Reference Assistance to the Technologically Challenged

USPTO withdrawing many paper tools.

Must strategize on providing services to technologically challenged.

Staffing issues… Referral often necessary.

Conclusion

Using distance learning model is completely in line with mission and values of the PTDLP.

New service model allows patent librarians to serve new and more valuable roles.

Ultimately, the long-term goal of both the USPTO and the PTDL should be to work towards creating systems that are convenient and easily accessible to all Americans from the privacy of their own homes or closest public libraries.