Office marks five years in Detroit, 10,000 patents granted

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says roughly 10,000 patents have been granted in Detroit, home to the first regional office in the system’s 227-year history.

Officials say it’s among the office’s accomplishments as they mark the fifth anniversary of the Detroit-based Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office.

An event last Friday at Detroit's Stroh River Place, where the office is located, included comments by USPTO officials, entrepreneurs and a patent judge.

The office serves Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.