Find out how to apply for and maintain a patent in the U.S., and learn about helpful resources.

Search and read the full text of patents from around the world with Google Patents, and find prior art in our index of non-patent literature.

Oct 21, 2025 · The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks. Its mission is to drive U.S. innovation and global competitiveness for the …

In modern usage, the term patent usually refers to the right granted to anyone who invents something new, useful and non-obvious.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.

Aug 29, 2025 · Patents are a form of intellectual property that give an inventor or patent holder the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing a patented …

Sep 5, 2025 · What is a patent? A patent is a legal document that gives the patent owner certain exclusive rights in a specific country to his/her invention for a limited time, usually 20 years.

Jan 13, 2025 · A patent is a right granted to an inventor by the federal government that gives the inventor exclusive rights to that invention. These rights prohibit others from making, selling, or …

Nov 20, 2018 · In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported or sold by others without the patent owner's consent.

Whether you've applied for a patent or registered for a trademark, scammers may try to exploit you. Learn how to spot fake communications or offers and protect your intellectual property. …