Us Code § 12 - Copies of patents and applications for public libraries
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 12 — Copies of patents and applications for public libraries, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 12. Copies of patents and applications for public libraries
The Director may supply copies of specifications and drawings of patents and published applications for patents in printed or electronic form to public libraries in the United States which shall maintain such copies for the use of the public, at the rate for each year's issue established for this purpose in section 41(d).
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 794, §13; Pub. L. 97–247, §15, Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 321; renumbered §12 and amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§4507(3), 4717(1), 4732(a)(10)(A), 4804(c)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–565, 1501A–580, 1501A–582, 1501A–589; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, §§13205(2)(C), 13206(b)(1)(B), (3)(B), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1903, 1906; Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 335.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §78, part (R.S. 4934, Feb. 18, 1922, ch. 58, §9, 42 Stat. 389, 393, amended June 15, 1950, ch. 249, 64 Stat. 215).
The proviso in the schedule of fees of the existing statute is made a separate section and some changes in language are made.
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 12 was renumbered section 11 of this title.
Amendments
2011—Pub. L. 112–29 struck out "of this title" after "41(d)".
2002—Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(3)(B), amended directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4804(c)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(1)(B), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 107–273, §13205(2)(C), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4507(3)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4804(c)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(3)(B), which directed amendment of section 12 of this title by substituting "copies of specifications and drawings of patents in printed or electronic form" for "printed copies of specifications and drawings of patents", was executed to this section, which was section 13 of this title, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. This section was subsequently renumbered section 12 of this title by Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4717(1)]. See note above and Effective Date of 1999 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(1)(B), substituted "Director" for "Commissioner".
Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4717(1)], renumbered section 13 of this title as this section.
Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4507(3)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13205(2)(C), inserted "and applications" after "patents" in section catchline and "and published applications for patents" after "patents" in text.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247 substituted "section 41(d)" for "section 41(a)9".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that effective date, see section 20(l) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4507(3)] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective Nov. 29, 2000, and applicable only to applications (including international applications designating the United States) filed on or after that date, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4508] of Pub. L. 106–113, as amended, set out as a note under section 10 of this title.
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§4717(1), 4732(a)(10)(A)] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–247 effective Aug. 27, 1982, see section 17(a) of Pub. L. 97–247, set out as a note under section 41 of this title.
About This Section
35 U.S.C. § 12 is part of Title 35 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 35 U.S.C. § 12. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.