PTO (Patent and Trademark Office)

The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is a government agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States. Patents protect inventions, giving inventors exclusive rights to their creations for a period of time, while trademarks safeguard brands and logos, ensuring that consumers can identify the source of products or services. The PTO examines applications to ensure they meet legal requirements, helping to foster innovation and protect intellectual property. By doing so, it supports businesses and inventors, promoting creativity and economic growth in the marketplace.