Access Information About the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office

The U.S. Trademark and Patent Office strives to protect the findings as well as the various inventions of its citizens for a limited period of time in accordance with the Article 1, Section 3, and commerce clause of the US Constitution. The USPTO also advises the president of the United States about the various intellectual property protection acts and policies. The USPTO helps in enforcing the IP (intellectual property) rights across the world working closely with different countries thereby strengthening international ties. An  intellectual property deals  the various creative marks or other pursuits of the human mind considered to be unique and hence protected by law. The rights of various multinational companies having its origins in the United States are also looked after by the office of U.S. trademark and patents.

Location

The office of the USPTO is situated at 600 Dulany St, Alexandria, Virginia and consists of five closely connected buildings. The office has a 8,900 strong staff all dedicated to training, educating as well as enforcing the intellectual property laws within the country. The office is also open to the members of the general public where they can learn about the trademark and patent systems prevalent in the United States of America as well as become aware of the importance of protecting the intellectual property of the nation.

Trademarks

A word, symbol or image used in isolation or as a combination is known as a trademark. A trademark is generally used to distnguish the products of one manufacturer from another. A servicemark is similar to the trademark, being used to denote a service provided instead of products.

It is not mandatory to register a trademark or servicemark with the USPTO. However, it becmes easier to establish ownership once you have your goods selling under a registered trademark. It is possible to check the facts about trademarks as well as the advantage of registering them at  http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm.

 Finding out the details about an available trademark or about other marks that may conflict with your own is feasible. You have to log in to the Internet resource http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=4004:5l51jf.1.1 in order to use the trademark electronic search system. The status of trademark applications can be checked by going to http://tarr.uspto.gov. Additional queries about regiatration of trademarks can be addressed to the Trademark Assistance Center over telephone by calling 1-800-786-9199 or 571-272-9250.

Conducting a public search at the trademark search center is absolutely free of charge. The office remains open from 8A.M. to 8P.M. Monday through Friday on all working days and is located at Madison East, 1st Floor; 600 Dulany St.; Alexandria, VA 22313.

Patents

The procedure and principle of manufacturing articles is usually considered to be confidential and is not permitted to be used freely by every individual. The protection of such ‘know how’ is known as patents and usage of the very same principles by another manufacturer is considered to be a breach of law according to the intellectual property law of the United States of America.

The law requires that the patents be published within 18 months of filing the application with the US Trademark and Patent Office. The patent is guarded in strictest confidence by the office prior to publication.

It is possible to contact the Inventors Assistance Center at 1-800-786-9199. Individuals residing in the state of North Virginia can call (703) 308-4357 for obtaining information as well.  General information on whether your patent needs IP(intellectual property) protection can be obtained from http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/whatis.htm