USPTO

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks, which protect inventions and brands used on goods and services. The agency maintains public databases and information resources related to patent and trademark activity.

Issuing patents requires examining applications to determine patentability, including novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness. A granted patent provides exclusive rights for a limited period. In trademark matters, the USPTO reviews applications to determine whether marks distinguish goods or services and to prevent consumer confusion; registered marks are recorded in the federal trademark registry.

Organizationally, the USPTO is led by a Director and supported by patent and trademark examination divisions, specialized units, and staff. It operates offices and programs that administer patent prosecution, trademark examination, and post-grant proceedings, and it provides public search tools and filing systems for patents and trademarks.

Legal authority for the USPTO comes from U.S. patent and trademark laws, including the Patent Act and the Lanham Act. The agency administers post-grant procedures such as inter partes review through the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and oversees trademark opposition and cancellation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

History: The U.S. patent system began in the late 18th century. In 1975, the Patent and Trademark Office was reorganized within the Department of Commerce and today operates as the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO maintains online databases such as PatFT, PAIR, TESS, and TSDR to support applicants and the public.