As a mechanism that protects new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity, the USPTO is at the cutting edge of the nation's technological progress and achievement.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. In doing this, the USPTO fulfills the mandate of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the Constitution that the legislative branch "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 USPTO registers trademarks based on the commerce clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The strength and vitality of the U.S. economy depends directly on effective mechanisms that protect new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. The continued demand for patents and trademarks underscores the ingenuity of American inventors and entrepreneurs. The USPTO is at the cutting edge of the nation's technological progress and achievement.
The USPTO advises the president of the United States, the secretary of commerce, and U.S. government agencies on intellectual property (IP) policy, protection, and enforcement; and promotes the stronger and more effective IP protection around the world. The USPTO furthers effective IP protection for U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide by working with other agencies to secure strong IP provisions in free trade and other international agreements. It also provides training, education, and capacity building programs designed to foster respect for IP and encourage the development of strong IP enforcement regimes by U.S. trading partners.
Learn more about the men and women who lead the USPTO.
Learn more about the directors of our regional offices.
The various offices within the USPTO serve specific functions, both to the general public and the organization itself.
The USPTO has multiple offices located throughout the United States. Our headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia.
Discover the rich history of the USPTO through the biographies of the people who have led the agency since 1802.
Major current initiatives of the Office of the Undersecretary.
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News & Updates
Update on paper patent file wrapper requests
As a result of a storage site consolidation, effective January 1, 2021, the fulfillment time for requests for paper patent file wrappers located in Suitland, Maryland, will increase slightly from 37 days to up to 47 days. Requests for file wrappers located at the National Archives Records...
USPTO and Cambodian IP office announce landmark worksharing agreement
Due to a landmark worksharing arrangement signed in October 2020 by Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and Senior Minister H.E. Kitti Settha Pandita CHAM Prasidh of the Cambodian Ministry of...
USPTO welcomes new interim Trademark Public Advisory Committee member
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) welcomes Tricia McDermott Thompkins as a new interim member of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). The interim appointment will be effective on October 30, 2020 and run through December 1, 2022. Ms. Thompkins serves as Executive Vice...
USPTO announces COVID-19 deferred-fee provisional patent application pilot program
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced a collaborative deferred-fee provisional patent application pilot program for inventions that combat COVID-19. The USPTO recognizes that its mission to issue high-quality patents to inventors goes hand-in-hand with dissemination...
USPTO releases updated study on participation of women in the U.S. innovation economy
WASHINGTON - The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today released “Progress and Potential: 2020 Update on U.S. Women Inventor-Patentees,” a follow-up to its 2019 report on U.S. women inventors. The new report updates the previous findings based on a review of an additional nearly one...
Commissioner for Patents Drew Hirshfeld appointed to a second five-year term
WASHINGTON—The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced that Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has reappointed Commissioner for Patents Drew Hirshfeld for a second five-year term. Commissioner Hirshfeld’s original term was set to expire this July. “I am pleased to reappoint...
USPTO announces Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program
WASHINGTON — The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced plans for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to begin accepting petitions for expedited resolution of ex parte appeals. The “Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program” launches July 2, 2020. The required petition fee is...
USPTO releases additional information on the COVID-19 Trademark Prioritized Examination Program
On June 15 , the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Program for certain trademark and service mark applications, which allows COVID-19-related trademark applications to be advanced out of turn and immediately assigned for examination....
USPTO seeks nominations for Patent and Trademark Advisory Committees
WASHINGTON — The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies for the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before July 31, 2020...
USPTO extends certain CARES Act relief for small and micro entities
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant hardships on many of our stakeholders. As a result, the USPTO has waived certain fees under existing authority through the March 16 notice , and has extended certain patent and Patent...