Do you have an invention and want to protect it before talking to the public? Do you have a business and want to make products without infringing others' patents? Have you decided to use a patent Pro Bono attorney but need to run your own patent prior art search first? Or are you someone who just want to know more about patents? Welcome to the patent class. A good patent search will help you identify prior art references that are critical to the patentability of your invention, or are potential obstacles to the development of your products. In this class, you will learn the patent basics as well as patent search strategies and search tips through search examples and hands-on exercises. The class contains two parts (handouts included):

- Part One: Introduction to patents (including patentability requirements, identification of patent documents, patent classifications, and patenting processes)

- Part Two: patent search strategies and patent search exercises (including classification search using USPTO's PatFT/AppFT, and EPO's Espacenet; Hybrid search using classifications and keywords)

The classes are offered on multiple dates (You may mix and match these parts depending on your needs.):

Prerequisites: Please preview the 7-Step patent search strategy (39 min.) videos by the USPTO before coming to class.

These classes, offered by the Georgia Tech Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), Georgia Tech Library, are open to everyone on the Georgia Tech campus as well as in the public. All are welcome. For more information, please email: patentscoordinator@library.gatech.edu

Location of Classes:

Georgia Tech Library

Crosland Tower, Room 2130

266 4th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

Directions & Parking Information

Visitors, please use one of the visitor parking lots on campus. The closest parking spaces are in Visitor Area 2 or Area 3 near the Student Center (350 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313). From the parking areas, just ask how to get to the Georgia Tech Library. More questions about directions? Call the library services desk at 404-894-4500.

If you have someone drop you off, please use this address for easy access to the Crosland Tower building: 221 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.

Visitor Information