Federal Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights

Trademarks

Trademarks are names or symbols used in any commerce that is subject to regulation by state government or the U.S. Congress.

To register a trademark, contact:

Patent & Trademark Office
Arlington, VA 22202
(800) 786-9199
www.uspto.gov

Trademark Information Hotline
(703) 308-9000
or write:
Assist. Commissioner for Trademarks
2900 Crystal Drive, 3rd Floor - South Tower
Arlington, VA 22202

CAUTION: Federally registered trademarks may conflict with and supersede state registered business and product names. Businesses are encouraged to check for conflicts with federal trademarks.

Copyrights

Copyright protects the thoughts and ideas of authors, composers and artists. A copyright prevents illegal copying of written matter, works of art or computer programs. In order to ensure copyright protection, the copyright owner should always include notices on all copies of the work.

Introduction to Copyright Law

For general information contact:

U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Library of Congress
James Madison Memorial Building
Washington, D.C. 20559
(202) 707-9100 - Order Line (202)
707-3000 - Information Line
www.loc.gov/copyright

Patents

Additional information is provided in the publications, General Information Concerning Patents and other publications distributed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Introduction to Patent Law

For more information contact the following:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Assist. Commission for Trademarks
Patent Applications
Washington, DC 20231
(800) 786-9199
www.uspto.gov

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