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Article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution empowers Congress "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." The first such law was enacted in 1790. Since then, the concept of patent protection has been a... more »
Like patents, trademarks are an important way for American innovators to maintain the competitive advantages of their efforts. Trademarks were only granted in individual states until the late 1800s, when Congress enacted the first federal trademark law. Since then, a considerable amount of litigation has come to define trademarks, the... more »
There are three main types of patents. Utility, design and plant patents are issued depending on the nature of the invention. A divisional patent is based on a previous patent application for one of these main patent types. The divisional patent carves out new and unique applications for an invention -- it divides the separate uses of... more »
So you have an idea you believe could change the world . . . or at least make someone's life a little easier, while making you some money. The question is, how does the idea get to the drawing board and on to the market? You patent it. Once you're protected with a patent, you can invent and sell, assuming your idea is a success.... more »
If you have come up with a unique invention, you can acquire a patent from the government to protect your idea from being copied by someone else. Modern day patents can be traced back to Italy in the 15th century when the local government kept track of new and creative devices to confirm original ownership. In the United States, the... more »
One of the best ways to help create buzz on and offline about your business is to create...
If you have ever had a great idea and seen it come onto the market a few years later to make...
If you want to protect an invention, your safest bet is to get a patent. It's a lengthy, involved and expensive process, but when you come out the... more »
Getting a patent is a great way to reap the benefits of an original idea that you may have. After designing your idea, creating a prototype in... more »
You've done it--now you need to protect it! You've made a new connector, built a new tool, figured out a hanger that really holds, brought a whole... more »
Although "patent" and "copyright" are commonly used terms, there is some confusion about the difference between the terms and how they are used.... more »
To protect an invention, the inventor will have to apply for a patent. Applying for a European Patent through the European Patent Office will... more »
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.
The USPTO is currently based in Alexandria, Virginia, after a 2006 move from the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia. The offices under Patents and the Chief Information Officer that remained just outside the southern end of Crystal City completed moving to Randolph Square, a brand new building in Shirlington Village, on April 27, 2009. Since 1991, the office has been fully funded by fees charged for processing patents and trademarks. The current head of the USPTO is David J. Kappos, who was sworn in on August 13, 2009 following the United States Senates confirmation of his appointment by President Barack Obama. He succeeded John Doll, who served as acting head following the resignation of Jon W. Dudas at the end of the George W. Bush administration. Dennis Crouch, , Patently-O blog, January 16, 2009. Consulted on January 29, 2009.
The USPTO cooperates with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) as one of the Trilateral Patent Offices. The USPTO is also a Receiving Office, an International Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examination Authority for international patent applications filed in accordance with the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Mission
The legal basis for the United States patent system is Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, wherein the powers of Congress are defined. It states, in part:
:"The Congress shall have Power ... 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;"
The mission of the PTO is to promote "industrial and technological progress in the Uni read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United+States+Patent+and+Trademark+Office
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