Which entity typically resolves disputes about the infringement of intellectual property?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the entity that typically resolves disputes concerning the infringement of intellectual property, specifically patents and trademarks. The USPTO administers the laws related to intellectual property, and while it primarily focuses on the registration and issuance of patents and trademarks, it also has processes in place for addressing disputes related to these intellectual properties.

For instance, if two parties have a disagreement regarding trademark registration—for example, one party believes that another party's trademark may infringe upon their own—the USPTO can be involved in resolving this matter through opposition and cancellation proceedings. In the context of patents, the USPTO can also handle inter partes reviews or other proceedings regarding patent validity.

While other courts such as U.S. District Courts and U.S. Court of Appeals do hear cases related to intellectual property, including infringement lawsuits and appeals from lower courts, they do not specialize in the initial resolution of trademark and patent registration disputes to the extent that the USPTO does. The U.S. Supreme Court, on the other hand, primarily deals with cases of significant national importance and typically takes cases that address questions of constitutional or federal law, rather than being a regular venue for intellectual property disputes. Thus, the USPTO is the appropriate entity