From the first U.S. patent to the next 250 years of American innovation; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), August 4, 2026 1 PM EDT

 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ; From the first U.S. patent to the next 250 years of American innovation

"Join the USPTO as we commemorate the 236th anniversary of the first U.S. patent and celebrate 250 years of American innovation. Join us virtually on August 4, 2026, from 1-2 p.m. ET. 

What you will learn:

• The history of the first U.S. patent
• How the patent system works today
• Resources available to inventors and small businesses
• How American inventors have shaped the nation over the past 250 years

On July 31, 1790, the United States granted the first U.S. patent to Samuel Hopkins for an improved process for making potash. This patent, signed by George Washington, was the first of nearly 13 million patents the U.S. government has granted.

This program will connect that historic milestone to the present day. Speakers will explore the origins of the patent system, how it supports innovation today, and how inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses can use USPTO resources.  

This event is part of the agency’s efforts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and highlight the important role of intellectual property in our nation’s growth."

USPTO unveils new, improved homepage design; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), July 23, 2026

 Press Release, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); USPTO unveils new, improved homepage design; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

"As part of our efforts to improve and enhance the digital experience for USPTO.gov visitors, America's Innovation Agency, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has unveiled a modernized homepage design to make it easier to find valuable information and resources.  

Launched on July 23, the updated USPTO homepage features a clean, more intuitive design that puts information front and center, giving users fast access to USPTO services, resources, and relevant information.  

“We’ve not only refreshed the way our homepage looks and feels, but we’ve reimagined how our visitors navigate the valuable resources we offer,” said John A. Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “The new homepage reflects the extensive time and effort our team invested in researching how people use our site and how we can improve their experience.” 

The modernized design is part of ongoing efforts to improve federal digital services available to the public.  

The agency is committed to incorporating public feedback to enhance our agency’s visitor experience on our website. Following the launch, the USPTO will collect and analyze user feedback to make additional improvements to the site. A special link to provide feedback will be available on the homepage itself."

Intellectual property supports the U.S. economy. It should be respected abroad.; The Washington Post, June 18, 2026

  

David Kappos

 and 

Jeffrey Gerrish

, The Washington Post; Intellectual property supports the U.S. economy. It should be respected abroad.

"Many countries proudly tout close economic ties to the United States — but when it comes to protecting the intellectual property rights that help make the American economy strong, those trading partners often prove unreliable. 

That failure comes at a steep cost. Intellectual-property-intensive industries support more than 62 million U.S. jobs and 41 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to a 2019 report from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. When other countries ignore — or actively attack — IP protections and allow their domestic companies to illicitly profit off American innovation, it hurts U.S. companies, workers and investors."

House Democrat seeks answers from USPTO head on Board of Peace trademarks; Reuters, May 5, 2026

  Blake Brittain , Reuters; House Democrat seeks answers from USPTO head on Board of Peace trademarks

"The top Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee sent the head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office a letter on Tuesday demanding more answers about ​his office's alleged role in concealing information about President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

U.S. Representative ‌Jamie Raskin of Maryland sent 8 questions to director John Squires about the agency's unusual move to seek trademarks for the board's name and logo, pressing for details about the board's structure and funding."

When Copyright Falls Short: Why Celebrities Are Turning to Trademark Law to Fight AI; JDSupra, April 30, 2026

Kaufman & Canoles, JDSupra; When Copyright Falls Short: Why Celebrities Are Turning to Trademark Law to Fight AI

"The filings come as traditional copyright laws fail to guard against AI-generated content. AI can now generate completely new content that mimics an artist’s voice without outright copying."

Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice, likeness to ward off AI deepfakes; Reuters, April 27, 2026

 Brad Brooks , Reuters; Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice, likeness to ward off AI deepfakes

"Pop superstar Taylor Swift filed trademark applications for two audio clips and one image of ‌herself in what a trademark attorney said is an attempt to protect her voice and likeness from deepfake videos and audio created by artificial intelligence.

The applications were filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Friday and list Swift's TAS ​Rights Management as being the owner of the audio clips and image."

St. Louis Cardinals fighting Hamilton Cardinals attempt to trademark baseball team name and design in Canada; CBC News, April 22, 2026

 Justin Chandler , CBC News; St. Louis Cardinals fighting Hamilton Cardinals attempt to trademark baseball team name and design in Canada

"The Hamilton Cardinals baseball team is facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals, but not in a ballpark.

The MLB team from St. Louis, Mo., is opposing a trademark application the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) team filed before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in 2023.

Hamilton team owner Eric Spearin described the MLB team's opposition as “just a big shock.” The teams play in different leagues, he said, and "our logo looks nothing like theirs.""

Grambling State Secures Trademark for its "G" Logo After Almost 30 Years; Ebony Magazine, April 7, 2026

 STARR ROCQUE , Ebony Magazine; Grambling State Secures Trademark for its "G" Logo After Almost 30 Years

"Grambling State University secured a major win in court this month. The HBCU secured its iconic “G” logo under a US trademark. The historic logo has represented the school’s athletic excellence and pride since the 1970s. However, the process of securing the trademark, led by the Division of Administration and Business Affairs and counsel Kean Miller, had been ongoing since 1998. 

This new milestone follows a coordinated effort to address prior court refusals to grant the trademark while considering other nationally recognized “G” marks, such as those associated with the University of Georgia and the Green Bay Packers."

Contentious House USPTO Oversight Hearing Centers on PTAB Reforms, Trump’s Political Influence; IP Watchdog, March 25, 2026

 STEVE BRACHMANN, IP Watchdog; Contentious House USPTO Oversight Hearing Centers on PTAB Reforms, Trump’s Political Influence

"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet conducted its first oversight hearing of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) during the second Trump Administration. The harshest lines of questioning for USPTO Director John Squires during the hearing were reserved for the agency’s notice of proposed rulemaking(NPRM) to reform rules of practice at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) as well as President Trump’s political influence at the agency. During the hearing, Squires also confirmed that the agency’s Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) would soon be revived, following an offer to join PPAC extended last night to an undisclosed independent inventor...

The full House Judiciary Committee’s Ranking Member, Jamie Raskin (D-MD), also hammered Director Squires on President Trump’s influence, raising questions throughout the hearing about the USPTO’s role in filing two trademark applications for “Board of Peace” on behalf of President Trump...

Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) concerns over Squires’ PTAB reforms involved not just the centralization of decision-making authority over IPR proceedings but the lack of explanation for decisions to not institute or de-institute stemming from what Lofgren called “barebones summary denials.” Squires responded that PTAB judges work from a record of more than 600 written decisions, and that controversial reforms like settled expectations have cut both ways in favor of patent owners and challengers. However, Lofgren commented that the 64% of IPRs discretionarily denied under Director Squires was due to the adoption of discretionary considerations and a centralized Director review process acting as barriers that Congress never envisioned."

Taylor Swift Sued for Trademark Infringement Over ‘The Life of a Showgirl’; The Hollywood Reporter, March 30, 2026

 Winston Cho , The Hollywood Reporter; Taylor Swift Sued for Trademark Infringement Over ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Maren Wade owns the trademark for 'Confessions of a Showgirl.' She claims that the singer undermined her brand with the chart-topping album.

"Taylor Swift‘s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, has sparked a lawsuit from a writer, who accuses the singer of knowingly disregarding her claim to a similar name.

In a lawsuit filed on Monday in California federal court, Maren Wade brings claims for trademark infringement, false designation and unfair competition against Swift and UMG Recordings. She seeks unspecified damages and a court order barring the singer from continuing to use the name of her chart-topping album."

Celebrating 250 years of discovery, creativity, and enterprise; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), March 2026

 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), March 2026; Celebrating 250 years of discovery, creativity, and enterprise 

"In 1776, our nation’s founders declared independence based on three inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Over the past 250 years, innovators from coast to coast have helped turn those ideals into reality. Their ingenuity made our world safer, advanced our technological progress, and created prosperity for both the country and their families.  

As America’s Innovation Agency, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) protects the inventions and brands that drive our economy forward. Join us as we explore the foundations of the intellectual property system in America, the history of patents and trademarks, and how innovation transforms our daily lives."

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce sued for trademark infringement; ESPN, February 20, 2026

 Michael Rothstein , ESPN; Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce sued for trademark infringement

"A sneaker company is suing Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with their restaurant partners, alleging trademark infringement. The complaint centers on their use of the numbers specific to 1587 Prime, the name of their restaurant in Kansas City, according to court records.

Mahomes and Kelce, along with business partner Noble 33, opened their steakhouse last year, combining Mahomes' and Kelce's jersey numbers to give it the name. The sneaker company 1587 Sneakers alleges in the suit that the restaurant name infringes its usage of the identical number combination...

The 1587 Prime trademark is in the bar and restaurant category. The sneaker company's 1587 trademark application is in a clothing category.

"I think it's a tough case for the sneaker company," Gerben said. "Trademarks can coexist in different industries. ... Given that the marks are essentially identical here, is a restaurant and a shoe company too close? Are consumers likely to be confused in thinking they are affiliated with one another?""

U to expand innovation support across West in partnership with USPTO; The University of Utah, February 19, 2026

 UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COMMUNICATIONS , The University of Utah; U to expand innovation support across West in partnership with USPTO

"The University of Utah has entered into a new agreement with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to host a community engagement office on the U campus, strengthening access to intellectual property (IP) education, resources, and expertise for students, entrepreneurs, businesses and communities across the Intermountain West.

Under the agreement announced Thursday by the USPTO, the U campus will provide a home for a USPTO presence in Salt Lake City, powering a hub for education and outreach under the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022. The partnership allows the USPTO to immediately begin delivering vital services and building relationships that support innovation, economic growth and inclusive participation in the nation’s intellectual property system."

Trump Wants His Name Trademarked For Airports—Raising Questions About Profiteering; Forbes, February 18, 2026

Suzanne Rowan Kelleher , Forbes; Trump Wants His Name Trademarked For Airports—Raising Questions About Profiteering

"President Trump’s private company has filed for trademarks for airports using his name—setting up the possibility he could profit from what has historically been an honor in name only—just as plans take flight for an airport near his Florida home to be renamed after him."

Matthew McConaughey Trademarks ‘Alright, Alright, Alright!’ and Other IP as Legal Protections Against ‘AI Misuse’; Variety, January 14, 2026

 Todd Spangler, Variety; Matthew McConaughey Trademarks ‘Alright, Alright, Alright!’ and Other IP as Legal Protections Against ‘AI Misuse’

"Matthew McConaughey’s lawyers want you to know that using AI to replicate the actor’s famous catchphrase is not “alright, alright, alright.”

Attorneys for entertainment law firm Yorn Levine representing McConaughey have secured eight trademarks from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over the last several months for their client, which they said is aimed at protecting his voice and likeness from unauthorized AI misuse."

‘Twitter never left:’ X sues Operation Bluebird for trademark infringement; The Verge, December 16, 2025

 Emma Roth , The Verge; ‘Twitter never left:’ X sues Operation Bluebird for trademark infringement

"X Corp. is suing Operation Bluebird, a recently-announced startup that aims to reclaim the Twitter brand for a new social network. In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, the Elon Musk-owned company alleges Operation Bluebird is “brazenly attempting to steal” Twitter’s trademarks, claiming “Twitter never left and continues to be exclusively owned by X Corp.”

Last week, Operation Bluebird filed a petition asking the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to cancel X Corp.’s ownership of the “Twitter” and “Tweet” trademarks. It alleged X Corp. “legally abandoned its rights” to Twitter’s brand with “no intention to resume use.” At the same time, Operation Bluebird filed a trademark application for Twitter as part of plans to launch a new site, called Twitter.new."

Former Penn Carey Law adjunct professor John Squires named director of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; The Daily Pennsylvanian, September 29, 2025

 Matthew Quitoriano , The Daily Pennsylvanian; Former Penn Carey Law adjunct professor John Squires named director of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

"John Squires, a former adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, was named the next director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Squires will serve as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and advise 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump and the Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on intellectual property policy. In the Sept. 22 announcement, Squires wrote that the opportunity to lead a large and influential office was “both humbling and the honor of a lifetime.”...

Squires served as an adjunct professor for Penn Carey Law's L.L.M. program, where he helped lawyers trained outside the country learn about law in the United States.

The director of the USPTO is appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate...

Squires received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Bucknell University and received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. 

Squires previously served as the chief intellectual property counsel at Honeywell and The Goldman Sachs Group, and has held intellectual property roles at Perkins Coie and Chadbourne and Parker. Prior to his secretarial appointment, Squires was the chair of Emerging Companies and Intellectual Property at Dilworth Paxson."

Invention-Con 2025: Empowering American ingenuity and innovation; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), September 9-10, 2025

 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ; Invention-Con 2025: Empowering American ingenuity and innovation

"Do you want to grow your intellectual property (IP) knowledge and gain access to IP and business experts, accomplished innovators, and inspiring entrepreneurs? Join us for the USPTO's free flagship conference for inventors, makers, and entrepreneurs. Don’t miss Invention-Con 2025, coming to you virtually September 9-10 from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET daily. Tailored for the independent inventor and entrepreneur community, our marquee event brings inspiration and IP experts directly to you.

• Learn from accomplished innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners how to use IP to achieve success.

• Discover resources available to assist at every stage of your journey.

• Connect with IP and business experts who can help you develop a strategy for your innovation, from idea to market."

U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit; U.S. Copyright Office, April 22, 2025

  U.S. Copyright Office, Issue No. 1070; U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit

"Today, the U.S. Copyright Office released the Copyright Registration Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to help creators, small business owners, advisors, and others navigate the copyright system. As part of the Copyright Office’s Copyright for All initiative, the toolkit is a visual breakdown of copyright, including essential information about copyright law, how to prepare for copyright registration, what to expect during the process, and post-registration considerations.

“The Copyright Registration Toolkit makes copyright information more accessible and user-friendly for all creators,” said Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education Miriam Lord. “Resources like this one empower authors, artists, musicians, and their advisors to protect and manage creative works with confidence.”

Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's intellectual property (IP) toolkits for trademarks, trade secrets, and patents, these resources collectively provide a broad overview of IP protection under U.S. law.

Copyright Office attorneys, writers, and designers collaborated on the toolkit to ensure it serves as a reliable and engaging reference for creators making business decisions about their creative works and for advisors who help guide them in understanding their rights as IP owners.

To explore the Copyright Registration Toolkit, visit the landing page. For further inquiries, the Public Information Office is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. eastern time, to assist with questions about the copyright registration process."

Trump Return-to-Office Order Faces Big Exemption at Patent Office; Bloomberg Law, January 27, 2025

 

Annelise Levy

, Bloomberg Law; Trump Return-to-Office Order Faces Big Exemption at Patent Office

"The US Patent and Trademark Office told employees Friday the agency will fully comply with President Donald Trump’s return-to-office order, but the directive won’t override collective bargaining agreements covering most of its employees."