United States Patent and Trademark Office

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is the Ministry of Commerce of the United States under its patent office of the United States, the patents awarded for inventions and is responsible for establishing brands and intellectual property rights. It has its seat since 2006 in Alexandria ( Virginia).

History

The legal basis for the work of the Patent Office, the U.S. Constitution.

"The Congress Shall have Power ... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by Securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to Their Writings and Discoveries respectivement "

The corresponding first patent law was adopted in 1790. Patent and Trademark Office was the Secretary of State, which allocated Superintendent of Patents connected with staff appointed. The authority itself was founded in 1836 under the Secretary of States and chaired by the Commissioner of Patents. All patents before 1836 are not numbered and can therefore be identified only on the basis of the name and date. 1849, the Patent Office was transferred to the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Commerce in 1925.

Organization

The Patent Office is headed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the Senate. Since August 2009, David Kappos occupied this position.

The Patent Office is divided ( Offices) in various departments:

  • Office of the Commissioner for Patents
  • Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks
  • Office of the Administrator for External Affairs
  • Office of the General Counsel
  • Office of Public Affairs
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Information Officer
  • Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Others

By February 2008, the PTO has 7.95 million patents registered.

Alexandria (Virginia)
635997
de