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Intellectual Property: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

Latest USPTO Training Sessions and Events

The USPTO offers ongoing training sessions and events. Many of these instructional workshops are held online for free. Topics include patent and trademark searching and registration. See the USPTO Events webpage for details: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events 

Watch for onsite intellectual property workshop at Georgia Southern during the fall and spring semesters.

Need more info? Email John Schlipp.

Important Notice: New Trademark Search System

The new trademark search system replaced the former Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) on November 30, 2023. 

To make this transition as smooth as possible, we invite you to view recordings of these training webinars on the Trademarks search page: 

Federal trademark searching: Basics
This webinar introduces you to federal trademark searching and the fundamental mechanics of using the new trademark search system.  

Federal trademark searching: Advanced techniques
This webinar introduces you to the upper-level mechanics of searching in the new system.  

Experienced practitioner webinar: Transitioning from TESS to the new search system
Designed for people who are already familiar with TESS, this webinar focuses on translating the syntax you already know to the syntax for the new system. 

You can find additional resources in the help section of the new trademark search system at the USPTO. 

We’ve already made improvements based on your valuable feedback, and we invite you to use the feedback tab in the search system to submit suggestions on how we can further improve your experience. This will help guide how we prioritize and develop future updates throughout the life of the new trademark search system. To see a full list of recent updates and bug fixes, see the announcements link on the system homepage.

Patent & Trademark Application Support

A patent attorney or agent must be authorized to practice patent matters before the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to assist with your application. To find an attorney or agent registered with the USPTO, see the USPTO Find a Patent Practitioner site.

If qualified, independent inventors and entrepreneurs may also apply with the Patent Pro Bono Program listed on the USPTO site. Georgia PATENTS offers support for Georgia and South Carolina applicants.

The USPTO also offers a Law School Clinic Certification Program to assist independent inventors and entrepreneurs with patent and trademark applications.

Bar associations are helpful resources for identifying a practitioner to meet your needs:
American Bar Associations Directory
Augusta Bar Association
Savannah Bar Association

Entrepreneur Resources (Open on the Web)

USPTO Training Sessions