PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Feb. 26, 2025) – Great ideas have the power to change industries, launch businesses, and shape the future—but without protection, they can easily be copied or taken. Intellectual property (IP) safeguards inventions, brand names, creative works, and trade secrets, ensuring that innovators maintain control over their work. For entrepreneurs, students, and small business owners, understanding how to protect IP can be the key to long-term success.
To support this effort, Prairie View A&M University recently opened a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) at the John B. Coleman Library. Designed to help individuals navigate the complex world of patents and trademarks, the PTRC provides free resources and guidance to those looking to protect their ideas.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 20, a patent appeals judge, local librarians from PVAMU and Rice University, and a trademark holder who is a PVAMU alum shared insights on the importance of protecting intellectual property and how the PTRC can support this effort.
PTRCs are special libraries of government documents designated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to help people understand and apply for patents and trademarks. PVAMU’s PTRC will serve as a key resource for learning how to safeguard inventions and business brands, making the process more accessible.
“Our goal is to make patents and trademarks easier to understand and apply for,” said Ryan Gottlieb, Librarian I (Science & Engineering). “Many people are unsure where to begin, but this center provides a place to start and receive guidance.”
PVAMU’s PTRC is part of a growing initiative to expand these resources at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Currently, only four HBCU libraries—Howard University, Southern University and A&M College, PVAMU, and South Carolina State University—hold PTRC status.
The PTRC at PVAMU offers free services such as research help, workshops, and training on USPTO search tools. It will also host events to connect and support individuals interested in securing their intellectual property.
By providing these services, PVAMU demonstrates its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The PTRC will be a valuable asset for anyone looking to protect their ideas and advance new concepts.
For more information about PTRCs, visit the USPTO’s official PTRC page.
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