Inventor's Handbook.

Inventor's Handbook:  Those looking for a concise, informative resource for patent information will be delighted by this resource,  but those expecting to find a full-fledged handbook may be disappointed. Created by the Lemelson-MIT Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

this handbook has a stated purpose of addressing inventors' and entrepreneurs' "most frequently asked questions regarding United States patents."
Approaching the handbook as a FAQ site, it is effective, with information divided into 11 "chapters" (e.g., "What Can Be Patented," "How Do I Apply for a Patent?" "Is My Invention Worth Patenting?").
Included is a useful list of additional resources about patents and intellectual property. Readers may also find the information on licensing and commercialization of inventions useful. Each section is written in easily understandable language despite the highly complex nature of patent law. The authors avoid unnecessary legalese unless necessary for a full understanding of the topic.

Site design is clean and uncluttered, and the lack of heavy graphics results in fast load times. This reviewer had only one minor complaint. The authors do not take full advantage of linking to relevant outside content.
For instance, the handbook refers to the Thomas Register, an excellent, well-known source for products and services, but does not link to its online edition http://www.thomasnet.com/index.html . Additional value would result from adding such links. Overall, this resource is a good starting point for those looking for the basics of patent law. Other more detailed resources are available, some of which are listed in the handbook, e.g., United States Patent and Trademark Office http://www.uspto.gov/. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, students, researchers, practitioners. -- J. D. Graveline, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Reviewed in  January, 2011 issue of ACRL's CHOICE.