Southern University receives U.S. Patent and Trademark Resource Center designation; ribbon-cutting events planned

The Southern University Baton Rouge landmass will host a series of events alongside the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The John B. Cade Library, located on the campus of Southern University A&M College, has been officially designated as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) by the USPTO. The ribbon cutting will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at 11 a.m.

“Being designated as a PTRC is not a title only; it brings with it a plethora of benefits for our academic community,” says Dawn Kight, dean of the John B. Cade Library. “We will help historically underserved communities gain greater access to the patent and trademark system to protect their ideas, brands, and companies.” 

PTRCs are part of a national network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the USPTO to support the public’s access to trademark and patent resources. These local centers, like the one at Southern University, will support the intellectual property needs of the public by providing personal interaction. The staff at Cade Library undergo training from the USPTO to skilfully utilize search tools, enabling them to assist individuals in navigating their journey through patents and trademarks.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Southern University and A&M College, a member of the Southern University System—the only system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States—to our robust and growing network of Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs),” said Derrick Brent, deputy under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and deputy director of the USPTO. “Southern University strives to provide students with the opportunities and resources for a successful future. The Southern/USPTO collaboration with this PTRC library is another resource that will provide local inventors and entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance necessary for taking the next steps in protecting their IP. This is another momentous stride towards growing a stronger, more inclusive innovation ecosystem.” 

The ceremony will include a keynote address by Deputy Director Brent. In addition, it will feature informative sessions on intellectual property and conducting patent and trademark searches. 

On March 28, the Southern University Law Center will host the USPTO’s Patent and Trademark Trial and Appeals Boards as they conduct three hearings on patent and trademark issues. Each hearing will be conducted before a panel of three judges, providing students with a unique opportunity to observe real-life patent or trademark hearings and then network and interact with the judges. To round out the day, there will be a question-and-answer session with Deputy Director Brent. 

This recognition emphasizes our commitment to providing valuable resources that will further entrepreneurship and the exploration of intellectual property,” said John Pierre, chancellor of the Southern University Law Center. “Furthermore, this is a learning opportunity for our students to immerse themselves into the legal court proceedings regarding patent and trademark cases.”

Both events are free and open to the public.