What is a PTRC? Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) are a nationwide network of public, state and academic libraries that are designated by the USPTO to disseminate patent and trademark information and to support the diverse intellectual property needs of the public. At a PTRC, you may be able to conduct a search to determine if someone else has already patented your invention or obtained a federal registration for a trademark on goods or services. PTRCs also have access to PubWEST and PubEAST, examiner-based search systems.

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