PTO Factoids
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First patent issued in July 1790
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Began numbering patents in 1836; already 4000 in existance
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Approx. 3100 PTP employees
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In U.S. patent applications are held in confidence until patent is granted
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Patenting U.S. Inventions abroad (first to file)
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Utility patent term of rights: 20 years from date you first apply
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Design patent term of rights: 14 years