All PTDLs receive both the patent and trademark sections of the Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and numerical sets of patents in a variety of formats. Patent and trademark search systems in the Cassis CD-ROM series are available at all PTDLs to increase access to that information. It is through the CD-ROM systems and other depository materials that preliminary patent and trademark searches may be conducted through the numerically arranged collections. Each PTDL offers reference publications which outline and provide access to the patent and trademark classification systems, as well as other documents and publications which supplement the basic search tools. PTDLs provide technical staff assistance in using all materials.
All information is available for use by the public free of charge.
However, there may be charges associated with the use of on-line systems, photocopying and related services. Since there are variations in the scope of patent and trademark collections among the PTDLs, and their hours of service to the public vary, anyone contemplating use of these collections at a particular library is urged to contact that library in advance about its collections, services, and hours in order to avert possible inconvenience. Partnership PTDLs provide enhanced and expanded services for which fees are charged. They accept disclosure documents on site, order file wrappers, assignment documents and certified copies for their customers, and host a variety of seminars aimed at specific audiences, including practitioners, paralegals, and independent inventors.