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[an error occurred while processing this directive]Inventing 101
What is the role of a patent office like the USPTO?
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) administers the laws about granting patents and the issuing of trademark registrations.
- The USPTO examines applications for patents and decides if the applicants should be given a patent.
- The USPTO examines applications for trademark registration to determine if the applicants are entitled to register their trademarks and issues trademark registrations.
- The USPTO publishes lists of issued patents, approved trademark registrations and various publications concerning patents and trademarks.
- They record assignments of patents and trademarks.
- They maintain search rooms and a national network of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries for the use by the public to study issued patents, registered trademarks, and pending trademark applications and records relating to both patents and trademarks.
- The USPTO also supplies copies of records, registrations, and other papers.
What free assistance is available from the USPTO?
Free basic information on the patent and trademark system, forms, fees, products and services of the USPTO is available by calling the USPTO’s toll-free line, 800-PTO-9199 or by calling 703-308-HELP.
A USPTO automated message system is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day providing informational responses to frequently asked questions and the ability to order certain free documents.
USPTO customer service representatives are available to answer questions, send free materials or connect you with other offices of the USPTO from 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday excluding federal holidays.
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