Murray State University Libraries

Internet Resources:

Comprehensive Sites

• Findlaw.com - The Findlaw Intellectual Property site. Includes links to lawyers, agents, definitions, forms, etc.
• Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Center
• Kentucky Virtual Library Intellectual Property Site
• University of Louisville Law Library Site
• Louisville Free Public Library - The LFPL is the only complete patent and trademark library in the state. See more information below on workshops and assistance.

Copyright

• What does copyright cover?
  • Copyright protects original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. Copyrighted works include the following categories:
    • Literary works (also includes computer software!)
    • Musical works, including any accompanying words
    • Dramatic works, including any accompanying music
    • Pantomimes and choreographic works
    • Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
    • Sound recordings
    • Architectural works

What is not protected by copyright?

• Works that you have not fixed in tangible form.

• Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere listings of ingredients or contents.
• Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices. (Some of these are patented, some trademarked…see below)
• Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and containing no original authorship.

Online Resources for Copyright

• Federal Copyright Site - Information, forms, circulars, US law, FAQs and instructions on how to use the LOCIS search system for copyright.
• Domain Names - Check out the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers for everything you ever wanted to know about registering a domain name; how to file complaints when someone has registered your business name as a domain; and a listing of accredited domain name registrars.
• TEACH ACT RESOURCES for Educators:
  • TEACH Act FAQs
  • Checklist for compliance with the TEACH Act
  • TEACH Act Best Practices for Blackboard

Patents

• What is a patent?
  • A patent is a property right granted by the government of the United States to an inventor to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States for a limited time, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
• What types of patents are there?
  • Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new, useful and nonobvious process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter (pharmaceuticals, genetically engineered materials), or any new and useful improvement thereof.
  • Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
  • Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
• What cannot be patented?
  • Laws of nature
  • Physical phenomena
  • Abstract ideas
  • Literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works (see copyright above)
  • Inventions which are not useful or offensive to the public morality.

Online Resources for Patent

• Louisville Free Public Library
  • The LFPL is the only complete patent and trademark library in the state. The library offers a monthly lab workshop.
  • Check the workshops link for the next available time. Workshops require no registration and are free.
  • "The Librarian Is In Program" is a service of the LFPL to help inventors and others seeking copyright, patent or trademark assistance. Email Rae Shepherd-Schlechter at rae@lfpl.org, or call 502-574-1617 to arrange for a 45-minute session. Special sessions for groups can be arranged.
• Patent Attorneys and Agents - US Patent Office searchable database
• Patent Lens TM. Full text life sciences patent database.
• US Patent Office - Search both patent and trademark here; Open up the "first time users" section before you begin.
• International Patents - The US Patent Office guide to international resources.

Trademarks

• What is a trademark?
  • A trademark includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce, to identify and distinguish the services of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name.
  • Trademarks can be registered within the state or federally. To get a federally registered trade or service mark, the manufacturer or seller must be doing business in more than one state.
• What are some kinds of words or images that are inappropriate for use in a trademark or service mark?
  • Generic terms or words used to merely describe the functionality of the goods or services.
  • Obscene, immoral, or deceptive matter.
  • A mark consisting of a name, portrait, or signature of a particular individual, except by the individual's written consent.

Online Resources for Trademark

• Complete List of Examples -- Marks That May be Refused - US Trademarks Office FAQs
• Kentucky Trademarks - Getting a good trademark is a cost efficient marketing device. Check here about getting a Kentucky trademark. ($10 fee)
• Federal Trademarks - If you are selling in more than one state, you may want to investigate a federal trademark.
• Google.com - Search your trademark in google or other search engine to see if your proposed mark shows up on the internet. Watch to see if it clashes with a domain name. Avoid future problems.
• Trademark Agencies
• Kentucky's Patent and Trademark Library
  • Louisville's Free Public Library is the only full depository for patent and trademark information in Kentucky.
  • The library offers a monthly lab workshop.
  • Check the workshops link for the next available time. Workshops require no registration and are free.
  • "The Librarian Is In Program" is a service of the LFPL to help inventors and others seeking copyright, patent or trademark assistance. Email Rae Shepherd-Schlechter at rae@lfpl.org, or call 502-574-1617 to arrange for a 45-minute session. Special sessions for groups can be arranged.

This page contains links to sites related to the listed subjects. If you know of a link that you think should be added, or if you find a problem with one of the links, please send your suggestions to reference@murraystate.edu