The following links have been added to provide additional resources we thought you might find useful for gathering information regarding your business and your intellectual property rights.

IOWA

Secretary of State
www.sos.state.ia.us
The On-Line Business Center is a resource for information regarding starting and operating a business. It provides access to databases, applications and forms, such as trademarks and business entity documents.

State Library of Iowa
www.silo.lib.ia.us/index.html
An electronic source for documents produced by Iowa state agencies for use by the general public. A resource for information on many subjects from legal questions to continuing education.

FEDERAL

United States Patent and Trademark Office
www.uspto.gov
Provides basic facts, laws and fees regarding patents and trademarks. Check the status and search issued patents and registered trademarks.

MPEP
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep
The complete Manual of Patent Examining Procedure

TMEP
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmep
The complete Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure

United States Copyright Office
www.copyright.gov
Provides basic information and answers to questions on copyrights and licensing. Search records, check current fees and regulations. View reports and studies.

The Office of the Federal Register
www.archives.gov/federal-register/index.html
The official publication for rules, proposed rules and notices of Federal agencies and organizations. Provides access to the official text of Federal laws, Presidential documents and administrative regulations and notices.

GLOBAL

World Intellectual Property Organization
www.wipo.int
General news and information regarding international intellectual property, the development of international IP laws and treaties and services of WIPO.

European Patent Office
www.european-patent-office.org
This office grants patents for the numerous European countries who are members of the European Patent Organization - including Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and many more.

Patent Offices Around the World
www.pcug.org.au/~arhen/
Links you to over 50 different countries and their respective intellectual property offices. Search the laws of the country and how to protect your IP rights globally.

GENERAL

United States Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
Provides information and assistance regarding the start of a new business as well as financing, managing and growing an existing business.

Internet Domain Registration
www.betterwhois.com
Search all domain registrars for available website domains. This site allows you to look up the domain, find which registrar has reserved the name and visit and query that registrar’s database for information.