UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Department of Commerce agency that examines patent and trademark applications, issues patents, registers trademarks, and furnishes patent and trademark information and services to the public. — Abbr. PTO. — Often shortened to Patent Office; Trademark Office. [Cases: Patents 97. C.J.S. Patents §§ 135–138, 145, 178.]