United States Patent and Trademark Office

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a government agency that grants patents and trademarks. A patent is like a way to protect an invention. It means that if someone else tries to make, use, or sell your invention, you can stop them. A trademark is a way to protect words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify a business or product. It means that no one else can use them in their business, product, or service. The USPTO makes sure that people who invent something and businesses who create a logo or slogan can be the only ones to use them.