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United States Patent and Trademark Office

600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

571-272-8700
http://www.uspto.gov

UNDER SECRETARY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY / DIRECTORMichelle K. Lee
Deputy Under Secretary, Intellectual Property / Deputy DirectorRussell D. Slifer

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was established by the act of July 19, 1952 (35 U.S.C. 1) "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries" (U.S. Constitution Art. I, sec. 8). The commerce clause provides the constitutional basis for the registration of trademarks.

USPTO examines and issues patents. There are three major patent categories: utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. USPTO also issues statutory invention registrations and processes international patent applications.

Through the registration of trademarks, USPTO assists businessmen and women in protecting their investments, promoting goods and services, and safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. A trademark includes any distinctive word, name, symbol, device, or any combination thereof adopted and used or intended to be used by a manufacturer or merchant to identify his or her goods or services and distinguish them from those manufactured or sold by others. Trademarks are examined by the Office for compliance with various statutory requirements to prevent unfair competition and consumer deception.

In addition to the examination of patent and trademark applications, issuance of patents, and registration of trademarks, USPTO advises and assists government agencies and officials in matters involving all domestic and global aspects of intellectual property. USPTO also promotes an understanding of intellectual property protection.

USPTO provides public access to patent, trademark, and related scientific and technical information. Patents and trademarks may be reviewed and searched online or at designated Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries. There are 80 Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries located within the United States and Puerto Rico. Additionally, USPTO's Scientific and Technical Information Center in Alexandria, VA, houses over 120,000 volumes of scientific and technical books in various languages; 90,000 bound volumes of periodicals devoted to science and technology; the official journals of 77 foreign patent organizations; and over 40 million foreign patents on paper, microfilm, microfiche, and CD–ROM.

http://www.uspto.gov/about-us

Sources of Information

Data

Monthly summaries for patents data and quarterly summaries for trademark data are available online.

http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/statistics

Employment

Information on employment opportunities is available on the "Careers" Web page.

http://careers.uspto.gov

Patents

Information on getting started and applying for and maintaining a patent is available online.

http://www.uspto.gov/patent

Publications

The "Official Gazette" journal, "Inventors Eye" newsletter, and other publications are accessible online.

http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/official-gazette
http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/newsletter-archives
http://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates

Speakers

A speaker request form is available online.

http://www.uspto.gov/about-us/organizational-offices/office-chief-communications-officer/speaker-request-form

Trademarks

Information on getting started and applying for and maintaining a trademark is available online.

http://www.uspto.gov/trademark
http://www.uspto.gov/about-us/organizational-offices/office-chief-communications-officer

For further information, contact the Office of the Chief Communications Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone, 571-272-8400.