United States Patent and Trademark Office

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the organization within the United States government that grants patents and trademarks. Created under Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution, the USPTO's mission is "to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."[1]. Since 1790, the USPTO has issued more than 6.5 million patents[2]. The agency's main offices reside in Alexandria, Virginia, with several satellite offices around the country.

Organization

Administration

• Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property: Michelle K. Lee[3]

Michelle Lee was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the Director of the USPTO on November 11, 2014[4] and officially took the oath of office on March 12, 2015[5]. She is the first female to hold the office.[6]. Her first role within the USPTO was serving as the Director of the USPTO Silicon Valley satellite office.[7]. Prior to joining the USPTO, Lee served as the Deputy General Counsel for Google[8].

• Deputy Director: Russell Slifer
• Chief of Staff: (Vacant)
• Commissioner for Patents: Drew Hirshfeld
• Commissioner for Trademarks: Mary Boney Denison
• Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs: Shira Perlmutter
• Chief Administrative Officer: Frederick Steckler
• Chief Communication Officer: (Vacant)
• Chief Financial Officer: Anthony P. Scardino
• Chief Information Officer: John Owens II
• General Counsel: Sarah Harris
• Acting Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor: Thomas Krause
• Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity: Bismark Myrick

Employment

The USPTO employs more than 12,000 individuals

Patent Database

Patent Types

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