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Trade marks | Service Marks | Copyrights | Patent and Trademark Office | PTO

Functions of the Patent and Trademark Office

The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The role of the Patent and Trademark Office is to grant patents for the protection of inventions and to register trademarks. It serves the interest of inventors and businesses with respect to their inventions and corporate products, and service identifications.

It also advises and assists the bureaus and offices of the Department of Commerce and other agencies of the Government in matters involving "intellectual property" such as patents, trademarks and semiconductor mask works. Through the preservation, classification, and dissemination of patent information, the Office aids and encourages innovation and the scientific and technical advancement of the nation.
In discharging its patent related duties, the Patent and Trademark Office examines applications and grants patents on inventions when applicants are entitled to them; it publishes and disseminates patent information, records assignments of patents, maintains search files of U.S. and foreign patents, and maintains a search room for public use in examining issued patents and records. It supplies copies of patents and official records to the public. Similar functions are performed relating to trademarks.
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To obtain trademark protection, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recommends researching whether or not your proposed trademark is already being used by someone else in a similar industry.  This search can be performed online through the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at http://tess2.uspto.gov, or at one of the more than 70 USPTO Depository Libraries.

The following items must be submitted to the Commissioner for Trademarks:

  • The Application
    Download from: http://www.uspto.gov  
    Order by telephone from: 1-800-786-9199, 1-571-272-1000, 
    TTY: 1-571-272-9950 
    E-mail: usptoinfo@uspto.gov  

    Regular Mail
    Patent and Trademark Office USPTO
    PO Box 1451
    Alexandria, VA 22313-1451

    Overnight Mail (Fed-Ex)
    Trademark Assistance Center
    James Madison Bldg. East Wing
    600 Dulany Street C55
    Alexandria, VA 22314 
    Hours: 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. (M-F) EST. This office will either answer your inquiry or refer you to the right state or local office. 
     
  • A description or drawing of the mark
  • An explanation of how the mark will be used
  • An example of how the mark will be used
  • The filing fee - $325 per class of goods or services
  • There is no specific timeframe for trademark registration processing, but the review usually takes several months. Trademark protection may last indefinitely if the owner of the mark continues to use it in accordance with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office regulations.

If you have any additional questions about your particular situation, please contact the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or visit http://www.uspto.gov.

 

Trade marks | Service Marks | Copyrights | Patent and Trademark Office | PTO