I need to find out if a patent has been issued on several inventions and don't have the big bucks that most companies want.  I know it has to be public record somewhere, but where?  What department of the government does this come under?
132012
You can search patents directly off the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's website: http://www.uspto.gov/. They even have a 7-step process to help you figure out the best way to search them. good luck!
544
try www.publicrecords.com ,but you have pay $20.00 and sign in.
429888
Here you go:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm -- USPTO's Main Patent Page\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/faq.htm -- USPTO's Patent FAQ\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html -- Search Patents \nhttp://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/index.html#startforms – Patent Forms \n\nHope that helps!
229119
Don't worry about who is doing it, an agent or an attorney.  Just go to several patent firms and get a quote.  Several people will probably be working on it anyway.  It will be expensive no matter where you go.
541339
NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis\n* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese\n* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie \n* The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
616017
I'm not for sure but i believe it is public record, you could try the court house, or a library\n  How do all the site get the information?  Its free somewhere.
108236
Check out these websites:\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/\nhttp://www.centralcoastpatent.com/intellectual.htm\n\nCopyrights are registered by the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress.Go to this website:\nhttp://www.copyright.gov/\n\nGood luck.
143142
The state department depends on the state the property resides.  You would check the State Treasury or State Comptroller's Office.  Perform a search for "Unclaimed Property" and the state in question.
596067
I used to work for the USPTO and now work for a patent law firm and I suggest you get in contact with a patent law firm to help you with the process because filing a patent application is not a easy or cheap as one may think.  If you have the firm assist you with drafting the patent app. w/ drawings, plus filing it, you are looking to spend at least $7-15,000 depending on the number of claims, illustrations etc. Since you guys are a small entity (an inidividual/a company w/ less that 500 employees) gov't. fees are cut in half. Once the patent app. is filed, it can take up to 1-2 years, in some cases, even more before the application gets examined.  Once examined, the Examiner will most likely issue a rejection based on the claims/prior art/drawings and will issue a rejection which your attorney will have to prepare an amendment to object. The amendments would generally cost in bet. $1-2,000 or even more in some cases.  I find that most patent apps. get around 3 rejections on avg. before they become allowed for patenting.  Overall, we're looking at 2-4 years, and at least $20,000 to obtain a patent. I suggest going to uspto.gov for more info.
553110
Mainly cause I dont see a patent with that number\n\nFound it, There are many devices like this already on the market
304053
First IANAL\n\nDated public disclosure starts the patent clock running, and can prevent someone else from patenting your business idea. By the same token, it also allows anyone, anywhere to take your business idea and run with it.\n\nPublic disclosure of an idea in and of itself is not grounds for a lawsuit should someone copy it. A verbatim copy may be grounds for a copyright violation in the US, but perhaps not anywhere else. In addition, I believe the yahoo answers TOS addresses the issue that you give up copyright when you use this site.\n\nYou could patent business processes within 1 year of public disclosure in the US. However, unless you have substantial funding to go after someone infringing on the idea, it is best to just keep quiet about such matters.
472682
To many things to mention.  the world is constantly advancing in little ways, and occasionly in a great big step.  Heres a web site that tracks new patents, (processes or devices that were not known or have been rediscovered according to others).  Pick somethng to check into and you might find what your looking for.
9741
You can go to the courthouse it is open to public records...50cents a page for a copy in most states.
545406
Its public record.  If you know the county you can go there and request information, however it will not be for free.  Just small min. cost.
332790
You need to speak to an intellectual property lawyer first.  I used to work for a great IP firm (you know, before the Internet, everyone knew that IP = Intellectual Property...now, IP = Internet Protocol, ie, "What's your IP address?")\n\nClick on this link and talk to the folks at RatnerPrestia.  They've done work for mom & pop inventors, and some of the largest companies around (including Microsoft, and Matsushita -- also known in America as "Panasonic").\n\nGood luck!  IP Lawyers are all engineer-types...they're not just lawyers...they know how to take your idea and first find out if it's already been patented, and secondly they know how to convince a patent examiner (the folks in Washington who decide if you get a patent or not) that your idea does, indeed, merit a patent.
88347
I suggest that you contact an Intellectual Property law firm.  My wife is a Patent Agent, and has worked for a firm near Philadelphia, PA, and recently started with a firm in Washington D.C.  Prices for filing a patent through her current company range average about $7,000.  I'm not sure about the USPTO charges, but those should be online (http://www.uspto.gov/main/howtofees.htm).\n\nIf you have a lawyer that you trust, you might want to get a referral from them.  If you want to send me e-mail, I can get you in touch with a partner at my wife's firm.  They would probably be able to answer basic questions without a huge retainer.\n\nBest of Luck on your invention.
76355
university records are public domain, just ask them the university with the year and they will tell you if the recieved a degree, what for, and class ranking!!!