Federal Agency that Makes money: PTO

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

The Patent and Trademark Office is completely fee-based and for years and years was subject to “fee diversion” to the general fund. I think the number was typically 10% of the $1-2 B budget was “profit.”

For the past 5-6 years the white house’s annual budget have stopped the practice of fee diversion, but it is completely at the whim of the president.

2

When referring to one of Cecil’s columns one should try to provide a link,
like so.

3

You could also say that they ‘stimulate’ the economy, since they give patents to all kinds of things that aren’t in any way original or inventive, leading to a whole lot of lawsuits & employment for lawyers.