United States Patent and Trademark Office

Inductees to the National Inventors Hall of Fame line the stage at the 2012 induction ceremony.

Twenty-one previous National Hall of Fame inductees join the stage with USPTO Director David Kappos and the 2012 inductees. | USPTO photo by Arva Adams

Latest Honorees Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Honorees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame were inducted in a May 2 ceremony held at the 19th century home of the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., now the home to two Smithsonian museums. Ten men and women were in the 2012 class, including the late Steve Jobs, who was honored in remarks from USPTO Director David Kappos.

USPTO Has Critical Need for Electrical Engineers

The largest intellectual property rights entity in the nation needs qualified applicants in the chemical, electrical and mechanical disciplines with a critical need for electrical engineers to work as patent examiners. We offer an inclusive organizational climate, competitive salaries, bonus incentives, paid overtime, top-notch health care and retirement plans. The USPTO supports flexible work schedules and telework. See innovation in action.

Intellectual Property and the U.S. Economy: Industries in Focus

IP Contributes $5 Trillion and 40 Million Jobs to Economy

A new report demonstrates intellectual property is widely used in the economy and the industries that use it most intensively account for a large share of economic activity for jobs, new products and services, and the prospect of longer and better lives.

The Crayola Crayons, Curious George, Dennis the Menice, the Hershey's Kiss and the Hershey Bar characters, live at the USPTO.

Characters can be trademarks, too! Here a few of the many that visited the National Trademark Expo in Alexandria, Va. | USPTO photo by Arva Adams

Feature Your Trademark at the 2012 National Trademark Expo

Own a registered trademark? The 2012 National Trademark Expo is coming October 19-20 to the USPTO headquarters. Apply by May 18 to help educate the public by showcasing your registered marks with a booth or by bringing your registered costume character to the event. If you are selected, there is no exhibit fee and it's free to apply.

Collegiate Inventors Competition: A Program of Invent Now

Inventing something great has its own reward. Getting a medal for it is pretty cool, too.

You've invented or discovered something that has a good chance of impacting the world. Invent Now, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Kauffman Foundation, and the Abbott Fund have been recognizing inventors like you for the past 21 years through the Collegiate Inventors Competition.