The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency in the Department of Commerce. The USPTO's mission is to ensure that the intellectual property system contributes to a strong global economy, encourage investment in innovation, and foster entrepreneurial spirit.

The primary services the agency provides include the processing of patent and trademark applications, the dissemination of patent and trademark information, the examination and issuance of patents, and the examination and registration of trademarks.

For over 200 years the USPTO has followed a vision to lead the way in creating a quality-focused, highly productive, responsive organization supporting a market-driven intellectual property system for the 21st Century.

Today the USPTO employs over 7,000 full-time staff and occupies five interconnected buildings in the state of Virginia. The USPTO takes constant strides to ensure innovation and growth through patents and trademarks, fueling the American economy.