The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States. It plays a crucial role in protecting intellectual property, which encourages innovation and creativity by ensuring that inventors and businesses can secure their inventions and brand identities. The USPTO examines patent applications to determine if they meet legal requirements and issues trademarks to protect brand names and logos. By maintaining a public database of patents and trademarks, the agency helps prevent infringement and promotes fair competition in the marketplace.