Thanks to the work of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, an individual’s or organization’s intellectual property receives protection from unauthorized use or theft. This occurs when an inventor secures exclusive rights to their discoveries by receiving a patent or trademark.
The USPTO promotes fairness for innovators, as the patents issued protect the creativity and ideas of the inventors. These efforts support the vitality and strength found in the United States economy and the free market system.
Administering patent laws
The USPTO is a federal agency that approves and registers trademarks and patents within the United States. It is the only agency that is able to grant legally recognized trademarks or patents within the nation. On its employee roster are patent examiners tasked with reviewing applications from inventors or individuals seeking patent protection. This protection gives the patent owner the right to decide the terms of use for the patented invention for the protection period of time. Once granted, a patent prohibits any use, distribution, sale, import or manufacturing of the invention listed in the patent.
Maintaining patent eligibility
The USPTO will examine the patent application to determine whether or not the invention is eligible for a patent under current laws. When entitled, the USPTO will grant the patent, publish it and record the assignment of the patent issued. The agency also keeps a room dedicated for use by the public to search and examine all patents issued.
Patents protect inventions and ideas and provide grounds for legal action in cases of intellectual property theft. The USPTO oversees the patent application and approval process.
