IP Programs and Awards

National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI)

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States on America's...

Edison Visiting Scholar Program

Senior scholars and experts in law, economics, and related fields invited to the USPTO to pursue their research on a wide range of topics related to IP and IP policy

USPTO and National Inventors Hall of Fame Programs

The USPTO has partnered with the nonprofit the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) since 1973. USPTO and NIHF together run the museum located at USPTO Headquarters in...

National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum

The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) Museum is located on the United States Patent and Trademark Office campus in Alexandria, Va. It is free and open to the public....

2018 Collegiate Inventors Competition® Expo and Awards

USPTO Madison Auditorium
600 Dulany St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
United States

Upcoming Events

August 26, 2019

Parkman Branch Library Program: Learn about IP

If you are an independent inventor, small business owner, or entrepreneur, you can't afford to ignore intellectual property. Join USPTO Resource Supervisory Patent Examiner Renee Luebke for valuable insights at the latest session of this monthly program. Space is limited, so register early . The...

August 30, 2019

Rocky Mountain USPTO Five Year Anniversary Celebration

Join Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Andrei Iancu and Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional USPTO Molly Kocialski to celebrate the fifth anniversary opening of the Rocky Mountain office. Light refreshments will be provided. Register early In addition...

September 10, 2019

STOPfakes Roadshow Salt Lake City

Are you having problems with knockoffs or counterfeit goods? Stopfakes.gov roadshow participants will receive information on a range of topics from government agency experts, including identifying and protecting intellectual property assets; mechanisms for obtaining IP protection in overseas markets...

September 12, 2019

STOPfakes Roadshow Denver

November 1, 2019

The Path to a Patent, Part I: The patent application process

Learn about the different types of intellectual property (including trademarks and copyrights) and take an in-depth look at the patenting process from invention to application to issue. We will also cover the requirements for patentability, how to determine whether a provisional or non-provisional...

November 12, 2019

Attend Trademark Tuesday

Learn how to register a trademark during an interactive question and answer session with experts from the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC). During this virtual meeting with TAC, you will be able to ask questions via video teleconferencing. The Trademark Assistance Center, located in Alexandria,...

November 15, 2019

The Path to a Patent, Part II: Patent searching

Learn about the benefits of searching, how to perform a prior art search using keywords and the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system, and how to build a search strategy with the USPTO’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office. We will also provide resources for filing your application. Space is...

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News & Updates

February 7, 2019United States moves up in international rankings for patent protection

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) ranked the United States in second place for Patents, Related Rights, and Limitations in its 2019 International IP Index, reflecting a significant improvement in patent protection policy. In addition, this year...

January 5, 2018Nominations Sought for National Medal of Technology and Innovation

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations for the 2018 National Medal of Technology and Innovation . The medal is the country's highest award for technological achievement and is presented by the President of the United States....

January 13, 2016Nominations Sought for National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Washington - The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations for the 2016 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The medal is presented each year by the President of the United States and is this country's highest award for technological...

December 22, 2015President Obama to Honor Nation’s Leading Scientists and Innovators

Today, the White House announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation—our Nation’s highest honors for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology. The new awardees will receive their medals at a White...

April 16, 2014U.S. Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force to Host Series of Roundtables on Copyright Internet Policy Topics

Washington - The U.S. Department of Commerce's Internet Policy Task Force will host roundtable discussions in cities around the country on several copyright Internet policy topics, as part of the work envisioned in the Green Paper. The purpose of the roundtables is to engage further with members of...

April 3, 2014USPTO Creates New Office of International Patent Cooperation

Washington - The U.S. Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the creation of a new Office of International Patent Cooperation (OIPC). The OIPC will be led by Mark Powell who will serve as USPTO's first Deputy Commissioner for International Patent...

March 31, 2014Nominations Deadline Extended for National Medal of Technology and Innovation

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is extending the nominations deadline for the 2014 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The medal is presented each year by the president of the United States and is this country's highest award...

March 10, 2014U.S. Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force to Host Multistakeholder Forum on Improving the Operation of the Notice and Takedown System under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Washington- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Internet Policy Task Force (IPTF) will hold the first meeting of the public multistakeholder forum on improving the operation of the notice and takedown system for removing infringing content from the Internet under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act...

December 4, 2013USPTO and Dallas Entrepreneur Center Collaborate on Resource Sharing Initiatives

Washington - The U.S. Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will support and promote the Dallas innovation community. Through the MOU, USPTO will...

November 27, 2013World's Five Largest Intellectual Property Offices Release Annual IP5 Statistics Report

Washington - Last week, a coalition of the world's five largest patent offices - the IP5 - announced the release of the 2012 IP5 Statistics Report . The Report has been designed to facilitate an understanding of operations and patent procedures among the Offices, while providing a means for gauging...

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