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.