Terms of Service
Effective date: March 15, 2026
What Candle is
Candle is a free patent information viewer. It displays patent data sourced from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in a searchable, readable format. The service is operated by Candle.law, Inc. (“we/us/our”).
Agreement
By accessing or using Candle, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the site.
Not legal advice
Candle is a patent information tool, not a legal service. Patent information displayed on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal counsel. Use of Candle does not create an attorney-client or any other professional relationship. See our Disclaimer for more detail.
Data accuracy
Patent data on Candle is sourced from USPTO public datasets. The underlying USPTO data itself may contain errors—patent documents are produced by many different authors and examiners, and the official records are not error-free. Additionally, this data undergoes electronic conversion, OCR processing, and other transformations that may introduce further errors. We do not guarantee that any information displayed is accurate, complete, current, or error-free. You should verify any patent information against official USPTO sources before relying on it for legal, business, or technical decisions.
Candle is an independent service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a replacement for the USPTO or its official databases.
Acceptable use
You agree not to:
- Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers to access the site at scale
- Attempt to overburden, disrupt, or interfere with the service
- Use the service for any unlawful purpose
- Circumvent any rate limits or access controls
We reserve the right to block access to anyone who violates these terms.
Feedback
If you submit a bug report or feedback through the site, you grant us the right to use that submission to operate and improve the service, without obligation or compensation.
Intellectual property
Patent documents displayed on Candle are sourced from USPTO public datasets and are freely reproducible under established patent law and USPTO policy. Candle does not claim any intellectual property rights over patent document content. Candle’s name, logo, visual design, and original software are the property of Candle.law, Inc. and may not be copied or reused without permission.
No warranty
Candle is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Candle.law, Inc. shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising from your use of or inability to use the service—regardless of the theory of liability.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Candle.law, Inc. from any claims, losses, or damages arising from your use of the service or violation of these terms.
Changes to terms and service
We may update these terms at any time. Changes take effect when posted on this page with a revised effective date. We may also modify, suspend, or discontinue the service at any time without notice or liability.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Delaware.
General
If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Candle.law, Inc. regarding the service. Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Email [email protected].