9. Standards & Patents  

9.1. Will someone be able to assist me with standards or patent searching?

Ask staff at the Front Desk for New Zealand, British, and ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standards, as well as the few Australian standards held at the Engineering Library. For patent searching  see our information , database , FAQ , organisation & glossary pages.

9.2. Where in the library is the standards collection located?

The Engineering Library holds many New Zealand, most British and ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standards in the Documents Room. Access to them is by request at the Front Desk. Some New Zealand, British and Australian standards and the catalogues for them are available on Short Loan. Standards are may be taken out of the library but must be returned to the Engineering Library on the same day.

9.3. What are the differences among standards, patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets?

Standards are documented agreements containing technical specifications or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics, to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.

A patent is a legal title granting its holder the exclusive right to use an invention for a limited area and time by stopping others from making, using or selling it without authorization. 

Copyright is the sole right to produce a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or to perform, translate, film or record such a work. Copyright law is established through parliament. Permission to use copyrighted material has to be sought from the owner of the material or the user is liable. Photocopying is governed by copyright. For example, students are not supposed to photocopy a whole book as this violates the law of copyright. 

A trademark is any name or distinctive device warranting goods for sale as the production of any individual or firm. 

Trade secrets are successful formulae, processes, techniques etc known only to one manufacturer.

9.4. I have a standard or patent number. How do I find it?

You can search a patent database. Some patents are available on the Internet. There is an information page about Patents and Standards .

9.5. How do I find a standard or patent on a subject?

You can search a patent database. Some patents are available on the Internet. There is an information page about Patents and Standards.

9.6. Where do I search for a patent if I have the inventor's name?

You can search a patent database. Some patents are available on the Internet. There is an information page about Patents and Standards.

9.7. How do I get copies of standards or patents?