While the Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) at the BRIC is physically closed we remain committed to your professional development. Our programs and services have been moved online. Check out our upcoming virtual programs, schedule an appointment with a librarian and stay current by signing up for our newsletter. Reach out to us at bric@freelibrary.org and let us know how we can help!
Patents & Trademarks
Do you have a great idea for an invention?
Do you want to protect your business name, business slogan, logo, or product brand?
The Free Library of Philadelphia can help you!
The Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) has been designated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), one of three in the state of Pennsylvania, and the only one in eastern Pennsylvania. As a PTRC, the Free Library of Philadelphia has a mission to support the public, inventors, and small businesses to find the information they need to protect their intellectual property.
Our PTRC is located in the Business Resource & Innovation Center (BRIC) on the ground floor of Parkway Central Library at 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Contact us to learn more about patents and trademarks and how to do the necessary research before filing your patent or trademark application with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).
See what everyone is saying about our great service!
Resources & Services
Present and provide free and low-cost workshops and programs.
Request an appointment using the button below with the Patent and Trademark Librarian at Parkway Central Library to learn more about patents and trademarks and how to do the research necessary before filing an application with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. (Please note, the librarian cannot provide legal advice or complete application forms.)
A designated computer is available for patent and trademark researchers to access USPTO databases for trademark and patent searching, including PubEAST and PubWEST.
We have print materials, brochures, and pathfinders to help you with the patent and trademark application process, and can also assist with questions about pro bono (free) legal help and licensing of patents.
Start Here!
We're here to assist you with your patent & trademark needs. Please complete our intake form to schedule a one-on-one research session.
Upcoming Events
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VIRTUAL Patent, Trademark & Copyright Toolkit
Wed, April 28, 2021
10:00 A.M.
Parkway Central Library
Do you want to protect your invention, product, brand name, logo, short story, or song that you’ve created? If so, register for our free 1.25 hour VIRTUAL class to learn about Intellectual Property (IP) protections available to you ... The different types of IP available Where to…
VIRTUAL Almost Everything You Need to Know About Patent & Trade Secret Law
Thu, May 6, 2021
10:30 A.M.
Parkway Central Library
Do you want to protect your invention with a patent or trade secret? Want to learn more about these forms of Intellectual Property (IP)? Learn how with our speaker John Zurawski, partner of the national law firm Ballard Spahr LLP . A licensed patent attorney, Mr. Zurawski combines his…