Where can I find the full-text of U.S. patents? 

"The website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers all the tools necessary to do a comprehensive search for previously issued U.S. patents, from 1790-present.  The website contains a database of the text and drawings for all issued patents." (Fogler Library)  For a guide to searching this important resource, see Note #1 below. 

In order to view the database full-page images, the computer you're using must have a freely downloadable special TIFF reader installed. For details and links see system requirements for viewing images at the USPTO site. Currently, the required viewer is unavailable on the public computers at Albertsons Library. It is loaded on Boise Public Library computers.

The regional Patent and Trademark Depository Library located at the University of Idaho in Moscow holds the full-text of patents from 1790-present. Their web site provides information about their collections and services as well as links to many useful online resources. 

NOTES:
1. Patent Searching: Tutorial and Guide to online resources and information  produced by the McKinney Engineering Library, University of Texas at Austin is a highly recommended tutorial.
2. The most recent 52 weeks of the Official Gazette are online; prior issues are available locally at the Idaho State Law Library.
 

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