United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the U.S. A patent protects inventions, giving inventors exclusive rights to their creations for a set period, while a trademark protects brand names, slogans, and logos that identify goods or services. By securing these rights, the USPTO promotes innovation and fair competition, ensuring that creators can profit from their work and consumers can make informed choices. The agency also educates the public about intellectual property and its importance in the economy.