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Patents for Startups
The patent process can be challenging if you are not familiar with it. Here is basic information on the patent process. -
Trademarks for Inventors & Entrepreneurs
The trademark process can be confusing for a beginner, so the links below provide useful information on registering a trademark with the USPTO.- Trademark Basics
- Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
- Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)
- Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR)
- Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS)
- Assignments on the Web (AOTW)
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
- Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)
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Inventors & Entrepreneurs Assistance
The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners and experienced primary examiners who answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure. The Trademark Assistance Center can answer general questions about the trademark process or provide guidance on the type of information to include on a form, but may not provide specific legal advice. -
Education & Information
Guides and additional resources and information for inventors. -
Scam Prevention
While the USPTO does not investigate complaints or participate in any legal proceedings against invention promoters/promotion firms, under the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999, the USPTO will provide a public forum for the publication of complaints concerning invention promoters/promotion firms. -
Pro Se - Pro Bono
Are you an inventor or small business who has limited resources and needs help applying for a patent on an invention? If so, you may be eligible to receive pro bono (“for free”) attorney representation through the Nationwide Pro Bono Program. -
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Other Federal Resources
Helpful resources for inventors and entrepreneurs from other federal agencies.
Filing status
Pay or look up maintenance fees
Patent Trial and Appeal Board
Search recorded assignment and record ownership changes
Guides and manuals
Search trademark database
Trademark filing
Status, documents, and certificates
Search recorded assignment and record ownership changes
Updates and announcements
Pay maintenance fees and learn more about filing fees and other payments
Current and planned system outages