PTO Factoids
Ø   First patent issued in July 1790
Ø   Began numbering patents in 1836; already
   4000 in existence at this date
Ø   Approx. 3100 PTP employees
Ø   In U.S. patent applications are held in
   confidence until patent application is
   published (within 18 months of filing)
Ø Utility patent term of rights: 20 years from date
   you first apply
Ø   Design patent term of rights: 14 years