Do the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) promote inventions?

Examining Authority

The USPTO is the examining authority for patent and trademark applications and grants patent and trademark rights. By granting these rights the USPTO fulfills the mandate of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the Constitution that the legislative branch “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.”

Public Forum

By law, the USPTO is not allowed to promote the licensing, marketing or use of patents or inventions. The USPTO can act as a public forum for complaints against invention promoters or promotion firms. The patent office cannot provide advice about business transactions, previous arrangements with companies, marketing engagements, etc.

The USPTO Official Gazette

At the request of a patent owner, the USPTO can publish a notice in the Official Gazette that the patent is available for licensing or sale. There is currently a $25.00 fee associated with this service.