United States Patent and Trademark Office

Patents for Humanity with an irrigation system watering crops.

Patents for Humanity: Global Challenges Demand Global Solutions

Patents for Humanity is an awards competition for patent owners and licensees. It is the USPTO's voluntary pilot program to recognize patent owners who apply their patented technology to address humanitarian needs.

Commerce Secretary John Bryson greets an employee of the USPTO in her office.

Commerce Secretary John Bryson greets an employee during his Feb. 3 tour of the USPTO. | Photo by Cheron Green / USPTO

Secretary of Commerce Visits USPTO

United States Secretary of Commerce John Bryson paid his first visit to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since he became Secretary last October. Bryson toured the facility and greeted USPTO employees.

President Obama smiles standing next to Yvonne Brill after presenting her with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation

President Obama smiles after presenting Yvonne Brill with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, Oct. 21, 2011. | USPTO photo by Arva Adams

Who Should Receive a National Medal of Technology and Innovation?

The USPTO is accepting nominations for the 2012 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Awarded each year by the President of the United States, the medal is the nation's highest honor granted to groundbreaking inventors and innovators. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2012.

People attending a meeting around a horseshoe shaped table with a small audience in the background

Last April's Patent Public Advisory Committee Meeting. | USPTO photo by David Snider

Patent Public Advisory Committee to Meet Feb. 14

The Patent Public Advisory Committee's Quarterly Meeting will be held Feb. 14 at the USPTO's Global Intellectual Property Academy in Alexandria, Va. The USPTO's advisory committees consist of citizens of the United States chosen to represent the interests of the diverse users of the USPTO.

Two exterior images of the building to house the new USPTO Detroit office.

Two views of the new home for the USPTO in Detroit. | Photo courtesy of Beth Singer Photographer, Inc.

USPTO Selects Riverfront Site for New Detroit Office

With more than 100 new jobs for the city, the USPTO anticipates opening its new Detroit office in July 2012. The location is listed on the National Historic Registry and was the former home to Parke-Davis Laboratories as well as the Stroh’s Brewery Headquarters.

Map of US showing roadshow dates and locations

USPTO to Host Educational Public "Roadshow" Series on America Invents Act

The USPTO has planned a series of cross-country roadshows to discuss our proposed rules implementing various provisions of the America Invents Act. Look for them beginning in February.