{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/uspto","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/uspto","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"uspto","term":"USPTO","aka":"U.S. Patent and Trademark Office","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This federal agency grants patents to inventors and registers trademarks for products and services. It's where you check if the business's intellectual property is protected.","what_it_means":"During Due diligence, research the USPTO database to verify the ownership and status of any patents or trademarks critical to the business. Ensure these Intangible asset are properly assigned to the buying entity in the deal, securing your rights to them.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/uspto","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"u-s-copyright-office","term":"U.S. Copyright Office","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/u-s-copyright-office"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"intangible-asset","term":"Intangible asset","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intangible-asset"}],"related_questions":[]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — USPTO","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/uspto","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}