@uspto

Official account of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Leading the nation and the world in intellectual property protection and policy.

 Alexandria, VA, USA
uspto.gov
Joined August 2008
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  • Following91
  • Followers83.2K
7.3KMedia
The Patent Act of 1790 called to form a new Patent Board. During his time as Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson served on a three-person committee for the granting of patents. #Americasinnovationagency #Patenthistory #Thomasjefferson
Graphic says: “[I]f nature has made any one thing less susceptible, than all others, of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea.” Thomas Jefferson, 1813

ALT Graphic says: “[I]f nature has made any one thing less susceptible, than all others, of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea.” Thomas Jefferson, 1813

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On National Horror Movie Day, let’s look at how an innovation in camera technology helped shape one of horror’s masterpieces, The Shining. The Steadicam, protected by U.S. Patent No. 4,017,168, allowed filmmakers to move the camera smoothly and continuously.
U.S. Patent No. 4,017,168 for the Steadicam.

ALT U.S. Patent No. 4,017,168 for the Steadicam.

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Make my burger -- animal style, please. "IN-N-OUT" is a registered trademark of IN-N-OUT BURGERS, covering food, beverages, and restaurant services. In N Out Burger is a family owned fast food chain founded on October 22, 1948, in Baldwin Park, California.
United States Patent and Trademark Office. Reg. No. 1,101,638. Trademark Principal Register. In-N-Out. In-N-Out burger logo sign.

ALT United States Patent and Trademark Office. Reg. No. 1,101,638. Trademark Principal Register. In-N-Out. In-N-Out burger logo sign.

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Perspiration, indeed! From the phonograph to the lightbulb, world-changing inventions were the culmination of tireless work by Thomas Edison and his staff at Menlo Park. #Inventions
Graphic says: "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration" - Thomas A. Edison, 1932. Photo of Thomas Edison with a phonograph.

ALT Graphic says: "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration" - Thomas A. Edison, 1932. Photo of Thomas Edison with a phonograph.

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Congratulations to the 33rd tenant of the Inventor Trading Card deck! Hoff is a co-inventor of the microprocessor, the tiny chip that operates as the “brains” of most computers and electronic devices today. Check out the Inventor Card here: bit.ly/4gVAEBC
(From left to right) Photo of Director John A. Squires, Judy Hoff, and Ted Hoff next to the recently unveiled Inventor Trading Card.

ALT (From left to right) Photo of Director John A. Squires, Judy Hoff, and Ted Hoff next to the recently unveiled Inventor Trading Card.

Photo of Ted Hoff signing his inventor trading card.

ALT Photo of Ted Hoff signing his inventor trading card.

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Congratulations to the finalists and winners of the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition! Established in 1990 as a collaboration between the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the USPTO, the CIC recognizes and celebrates the up-and-coming genius of American students.
Photo of the Collegiate Inventors Competition finalists in front of the truss in the USPTO lobby.

ALT Photo of the Collegiate Inventors Competition finalists in front of the truss in the USPTO lobby.

Photo of the Collegiate Inventors Competition panelists in front of the truss in the USPTO lobby.

ALT Photo of the Collegiate Inventors Competition panelists in front of the truss in the USPTO lobby.

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Known as “Da Coach” of the Chicago Bears and “Iron Mike” as a football player, Mike Ditka was a legend in the football world. He described his style: “The other guys ride in limos. We ride in trucks.” May the biggest monster truck carry you home, Coach Ditka. RIP.
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Abraham Lincoln was the only United States President to secure a patent. He held U.S. Patent No. 6,469 for a device to lift boats over shoals, granted in 1849. #Americasinnovationagency #Patents #History
Graphic says: “The patent system… added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius.” — Abraham Lincoln, 1859. Photo of Abraham Lincoln.

ALT Graphic says: “The patent system… added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius.” — Abraham Lincoln, 1859. Photo of Abraham Lincoln.

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In the Resident Evil film series characters face mutated monsters. Supported by the RESIDENT EVIL trademark, the film series is one of the most successful video game adaptations ever. File for your trademark at America’s Branding Agency: bit.ly/4dbhB48
US trademark registration for the Resident Evil video game.

ALT US trademark registration for the Resident Evil video game.

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America’s Innovation Agency, the USPTO, today announced the appointment of John F. Duffy as its new General Counsel and Acting Solicitor. Read more in our press release: bit.ly/4i0D1Db
John Duffy is sworn in as the USPTO's new General Counsel and Acting Solicitor.

ALT John Duffy is sworn in as the USPTO's new General Counsel and Acting Solicitor.

John Duffy is sworn in as the USPTO's new General Counsel and Acting Solicitor.

ALT John Duffy is sworn in as the USPTO's new General Counsel and Acting Solicitor.

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On this day in 1962, Dr. No—the first James Bond film—premiered. Bond sports a Rolex Submariner wristwatch. The Rolex Submariner is waterproof to 330 feet thanks to inventor Jean Perret who was issued U.S. Patent No. 3,362,154. #AmericasInnovationAgency #Patents #Trademarks
Graphic featuring the character Honey Ryder from Dr. No, a Rolex watch, the Rolex Submariner patent number, and the ocean.

ALT Graphic featuring the character Honey Ryder from Dr. No, a Rolex watch, the Rolex Submariner patent number, and the ocean.

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America's Innovation Agency would like to congratulate former Deputy Under Secretary for Commerce and Deputy Director Laura Peter as she begins her first day as Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization's Patents and Technology Sector.
Portrait of Laura Peter.

ALT Portrait of Laura Peter.

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Director John A. Squires gave his testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. It was clear that America’s Innovation Agency will deliver on the Golden Age of Innovation. Read the Director’s remarks: bit.ly/3TviBZI
On left, Photo of Director John A. Squires swearing in before the hearing. On right, Photo of Director John A. Squires presenting a "UPR Unexamined Inventory as of 09/23/2026" graph.

ALT On left, Photo of Director John A. Squires swearing in before the hearing. On right, Photo of Director John A. Squires presenting a "UPR Unexamined Inventory as of 09/23/2026" graph.

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The first World Series game ever broadcast on television was Game 1 of the 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers, played on this day in 1947. Philo T. Farnsworth was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,773,980 in 1930 for the first television system.
Photo of a baseball field, television system patent, and Yankees and Dodgers logos.

ALT Photo of a baseball field, television system patent, and Yankees and Dodgers logos.

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It’s National Coffee Day! ☕☕☕ In 1865, James Nason patented the first coffee maker (Patent No. 51,741)—a percolator that automated water cycling through grounds using steam and heated water. Fast forward to 1994, and Keurig patented the K-cup system (Patent No. 5,325765).
Graphic of a cup of coffee and coffee beans, Coffee-Percolator patent model.

ALT Graphic of a cup of coffee and coffee beans, Coffee-Percolator patent model.

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Meet the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition Finalists! You can vote for the team whose invention you find most inspiring. The People’s Choice winner receives $2,000 and Patent Acceleration Certificate from the USPTO. Vote here: bit.ly/3PO8wm2
Graphic says: College Inventors Competition. Vote now for your favorite invention.

ALT Graphic says: College Inventors Competition. Vote now for your favorite invention.

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Albert Szent-Györgyi won the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for isolating vitamin C. #Innovation #Discovery #AmericasInnovationAgency
Graphic states: "Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Albert Szent-Györgyi. Photo of inventor, Albert Szent-Györgyi, under the quote.

ALT Graphic states: "Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Albert Szent-Györgyi. Photo of inventor, Albert Szent-Györgyi, under the quote.

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Starting Thursday, October 1, @WIPO Madrid e-Filing will be the only way to file international trademark applications based on U.S. basic applications and registrations. You can use Madrid e-Filing now to get a head start. Learn more: bit.ly/4fKuyBH
Graphic says: "Applying internationally just got easier. Trademarks is now using WIPO's Madrid e-Filing system." Includes drawing of a map.

ALT Graphic says: "Applying internationally just got easier. Trademarks is now using WIPO's Madrid e-Filing system." Includes drawing of a map.

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Lincoln Logs were more than a toy; they were a patented invention that inspired generations of young builders. You can explore more innovation resources from America’s Innovation Agency at USPTO Kids: uspto.gov/kids. #AmericasInnovationAgency
Graphic image of the Lincoln Logs patent.

ALT Graphic image of the Lincoln Logs patent.

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The 1877 Patent Office fire resulted in the loss of portions of the building’s west and north wings and around 87,000 patent models. Thanks to the courage of firefighters and Patent Office employees, almost everything else, including 211,243 original patent drawings, was saved.
Sketch of the 1877 Patent Office Fire and leftover rubble from it.

ALT Sketch of the 1877 Patent Office Fire and leftover rubble from it.

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