- Patent Information
This section contains patent information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). InventHelp® does not give any legal advice on patents, but we do refer clients to independent patent attorneys who can perform invention patent services.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The role of the Patent and Trademark Office is to grant patents for the protection of inventions and to register trademarks. It serves the interest of inventors and businesses with respect to their inventions and corporate products, and service identifications. It also advises and assists the bureaus and offices of the Department of Commerce and other agencies of the Government in matters involving “intellectual property” such as patents, trademarks and semiconductor mask works.
Take a look at our patent infographic and discover different types of patents, the benefits of a patent, which company holds the most patents, and more!
U.S. Patent History
On March 6, 1646, Joseph Jenkes received the first mechanical patent in North America. Issued by the General Court of Massachusetts, it protected his mill for manufacturing scythes. That was the prelude to the U.S. Patent System which has helped give birth to major industries that have transformed the way we live…
What is a Patent?
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office a patent is an intellectual property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States” for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
Types of Patent Applications/Proceedings
The United States Patent and Trademark Office states that there are different types of Patent Applications/Proceedings
What can be Patented?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office says that the patent law specifies the general field of subject matter that can be patented and the conditions under which a patent may be obtained.
Who may apply for a Patent?
According to the Unitded States Patent and Trademark Office only the inventor may apply for a patent, with certain exceptions.
InventHelp gives no advice as to whether your idea is patentable. Such advice may come only from a patent attorney or licensed patent agent. If you wish patent advice, it is advisable to seek advice from an independent patent attorney.