What is the Duty of Disclosure in patent law?

The Duty of Disclosure is a fundamental obligation in patent law that requires patent applicants and their representatives to disclose all known material information to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) during the patent application process. This duty is outlined in MPEP 2000.

The purpose of this duty is to ensure that the USPTO has all relevant information when examining a patent application, which helps maintain the integrity of the patent system and ensures that only valid patents are granted.

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Topics: MPEP 2000 - Duty Of Disclosure, Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: duty of disclosure, material information, USPTO