Earlier this year, the University of New Hampshire School of Law Library received the distinction of being named to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's roster of Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs). This week, the facility officially opened for business and will begin advising local citizens on how best to manage their intellectual assets.

The University of New Hampshire library joins a network of fewer than 100 such institutions capable of providing specialized resources and advice to everyone from students and sole inventors to established business professionals and patent attorneys.

"PTRCs serve as the face of the USPTO on a local level and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that ensures that potential filers have the resources necessary to draw on for support as they begin their quest for commercial success with their intellectual property," USPTO director David Kappos said.

This particular location will retain a strong focus on expanding availability and streamlining delivery of free electronic resources and services to reach an even broader audience within the state. However, the staff of USPTO-trained librarians will also be leading a variety of in-person workshops and seminars.