Terms of Use for USPTO Web site
Linking Policy
Links from USPTO Web pages to other sites: The USPTO provides limited external links solely for our readers’ information and convenience. When readers select a link to an external Web site, they are leaving the uspto.gov site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the external Web site. USPTO officers continually review external links for their ongoing value to the public.
Additionally, the USPTO:
- Does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of information contained on a linked external Web site.
- Does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked Web sites or the views they express or the products/services they offer.
- Cannot and does not authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked Web sites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked Web site. See Copyright Information section for additional information.
- Is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked Web sites.
- Does not guarantee that external Web sites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Links to USPTO from other Web sites: When creating links to the USPTO Web site, you must do so in a manner that does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the USPTO for your enterprise or Web site. See the Editorial Standards for citation guidance. In addition, please be aware that:
- the USPTO does not engage in reciprocal linking arrangements.
- the USPTO site is not archival; links may change and material may be removed without warning.
- the USPTO strongly encourages archival or permanent links to the USPTO home page only.
- deep links may bypass critical instructions and notices to customers. Consider linking to the USPTO home page and/or the content's parent page(s) where relevant notices and instructions may appear (such as plugins to view patent images).
Blog Comment Policy
Blogs on the USPTO Web site do not represent official USPTO communications. The Office of Public Affairs manages USPTO blogs as a portal for information from the USPTO.
The USPTO provides moderation of blogs on its Web site: all comments will be reviewed before posting. Participants are expected to treat each other, as well as our agency and our employees, with respect. The USPTO will not post comments that are offensive, are clearly “off topic”, or promote commercial services or products. Comments that make unsupported accusations will also not be posted. The USPTO will not edit or alter individual blog comments.
Any references to commercial entities, products, services, or other nongovernmental organizations or individuals that remain on the site are provided solely for the information of individuals using the blog. These references are not intended to reflect the opinion of USPTO, the United States, or its officers or employees concerning the significance, priority, or importance to be given the referenced entity, product, service, or organization. Such references are not an official or personal endorsement of any product, person, or service, and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying USPTO endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service.
- Only comments that comply with this blog use policy will be approved for posting.
- The use of vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language is prohibited.
- Blog public comments should be limited to comments related to the posted topic. The blog is not the proper place to express opinions or beliefs not directly related to that topic.
- The blog is not open to comments promoting or opposing any person campaigning for election to a political office or promoting or opposing any ballot proposition.
- The blog is not open to the promotion or advertisement of a business or commercial transaction.
- No comments will be posted that relate to specific patent or trademark applications.
- Communications made through the blog’s e-mail and messaging system will in no way constitute a legal or official notice or comment to the USPTO or any official or employee of the USPTO for any purpose.
- This blog use policy is subject to amendment or modification at any time to ensure its continued use is consistent with its intended purpose as a limited forum.
Copyright Information
Copyrights are administered by the Copyright Office, a division of the Library of Congress. Copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 105) states that all materials created by the United States government are in the public domain. However, there are restrictions on use.
Anyone incorporating a work of the U.S. Government into a copyrighted work should be aware of 17 U.S.C. § 403. This section requires a copyright notice to contain a statement identifying what portions of the work consist of a work of the U.S.Government. Failure to do so could result in loss of copyright protection for the entire work.
WARNING: Not all materials on the USPTO Web site were created by the U.S. Government. Some have been published by permission of the creators, and that permission is not generally transferrable. If a copyright is indicated on a video, photo, graphic, or other material, permission to copy these materials must be obtained from the original source. Please note that many photos used on this Web site are copyrighted. Photo credits may be identified within the caption or embedded in the “alt tag”.
Please contact us regarding copyright status before publishing or reselling any documents having outside authorship or any images contained on the Web pages for this site.
See the Editorial Standards for more details on referencing copyright information and providing other citations.
Use of USPTO Seal
The USPTO does not authorize the use of either its seal or logo on any other Web sites.
Security
For Web site security and to ensure that USPTO Web services remain available to the general public, the USPTO monitors network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, deny service, otherwise cause damage or access non-public information. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the United States criminal code (18 U.S.C. § 1030). Information regarding possible violations of law may be provided to law enforcement officials.
Any activity or operation, whether generated automatically or manually, that results in or has the potential to result in denial or decrease of service for other customers may be denied access to uspto.gov Web resources without notice. If you believe your IP address may have been blocked, you may contact the Webmaster for instructions.
Use of USPTO Databases
Interactive access to USPTO databases is intended for use by the general public. Due to limitations of equipment and bandwidth, the online databases are not intended to be a source for bulk downloads of USPTO data. Bulk data may be separately obtained from USPTO, either for free or at the cost of dissemination, depending on product (see the USPTO Products and Services Catalog). Individuals, companies, IP addresses, or blocks of IP addresses who, in effect, deny or decrease service to the general public by generating unusually high numbers of daily database accesses (searches, pages, or hits), whether generated manually or in an automated fashion, may be denied access to these servers without notice.
