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"USPTO"

From Mary Bellis,
Your Guide to Inventors.
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Definition: USPTO is an ancroynm for the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The role of the USPTO is to grant patents for the protection of inventions and to register trademarks. It serves the interest of inventors and businesses with respect to their inventions and corporate products, and service identifications.

The USPTO also advises and assists the bureaus and offices of the Department of Commerce and other agencies of the US Government in matters involving “intellectual property” such as patents, trademarks and semiconductor mask works.

Through the preservation, classification, and dissemination of patent information, the USPTO aids and encourages innovation and the scientific and technical advancement of the United States.

In discharging its patent related duties, the USPTO examines applications and grants patents on inventions when applicants are entitled to them; it publishes and disseminates patent information, records assignments of patents, maintains search files of U.S. and foreign patents, and maintains a search room for public use in examining issued patents and records. It supplies copies of patents and official records to the public.

Similar functions are performed relating to trademarks.

Also Known As:
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • Patent and Trademark Office
  • US Patent Office
  • Patent Office
  • Trademark Office
  • Office
  • PTO

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