USEFUL LINKS

United States Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) is the Federal agency for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States of America.  The USPTO is an agency of the Department of Commerce.  The USPTO’s website includes an online tool for searching U.S. patents and published U.S. patent applications.

World Intellectual Property Organization
The World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.  It administers the processing of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications and is responsible for publishing those applications after 18 months, as measured from the filing date or the priority date of each application.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO“) is the administrative body in Canada that is in charge of patents, trademarks, and copyrights.  The CIPO’s website includes an online tool for searching Canadian patents.

European Patent Office
The European Patent Office (“EPO“) provides a standard application procedure for individual inventors and entities desiring patent protection in one of its Contracting States.  The Contracting States of the EPO include countries, such as: Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Greece, Sweden, Italy, and Ireland.  The EPO’s website includes an online tool for searching European patents and published applications.

Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom
The Intellectual Patent Office (“IPO“) is the official governmental body in the United Kingdom that is in charge of patents, designs, trademarks, and copyrights.  The IPO’s website includes various resources for individual inventors and entities desiring patent protection in the United Kingdom.