United States Patent and Trademark Office

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States. The USPTO's mission is to promote innovation and economic growth by protecting intellectual property rights.

The agency processes patent applications, granting inventors exclusive rights to their inventions. It also registers trademarks to help businesses protect their brands. The USPTO handles over half a million patent applications and more than 787,000 trademark applications annually. Additionally, it resolves disputes related to patent rights through the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and advises the U.S. government on intellectual property policy.

The USPTO serves a diverse range of stakeholders, including individual inventors, small and large businesses, and legal professionals. It provides publicly accessible databases and search facilities for patents and trademarks, supporting commerce and innovation across the country.