What happens if a secrecy order is violated?
What happens if a secrecy order is violated?
Violating a secrecy order can have serious consequences. According to MPEP 120, “Unauthorized disclosure of the subject matter of an application under a secrecy order is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment (35 U.S.C. 186), and may result in loss of patent rights (35 U.S.C. 182).” This means that individuals who disclose information about an application under a secrecy order without proper authorization may face:
- Monetary fines
- Imprisonment
- Loss of patent rights
It’s crucial for inventors, patent agents, and attorneys to strictly adhere to secrecy orders to avoid these severe penalties.
For more information on unauthorized disclosure, visit: unauthorized disclosure.
Topics:
MPEP 120-Secrecy Orders,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure