37 CFR § 5.2 — Secrecy order. (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP

This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 37 CFR § 5.2, including 28 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Summary

The Secrecy Order outlines the conditions under which a foreign filing license is required for an international application filed with or forwarded to the International Bureau, unless the invention was not made in the United States.

What this section covers

Defines when a foreign filing license is necessary for international applications filed with or forwarded to the International Bureau.

Key obligations

Determine if a foreign filing license is required, unless the invention was not made in the United States.
Ensure compliance with specific conditions outlined in 37 CFR 5.2 for exemption from foreign filing licenses.

Practice notes

Review the specific conditions for exemption from foreign filing licenses to ensure compliance.
Ensure all necessary documentation is included with the international application, especially for direct foreign filings outside the PCT.

Export Regulations for Foreign Patent ApplicationsMPEP 140
Export Regulations for Foreign FilingMPEP 140
Applicant Must Obtain Secrecy Order for National Security PatentMPEP 120Required
Secrecy Order Requirement for Classified PatentsMPEP 120Required
Requirement for Good Faith Effort to Obtain Secrecy OrderMPEP 120Required
Application Not Published if Detrimental to National SecurityMPEP 120
Application Not Published Until Six Months After FilingMPEP 120
National Security Classified Patent Application Must Be Declassified Before Publication and AllowanceMPEP 120
Compensation Must Be Requested Directly From Causing AgencyMPEP 120Prohibited
Application Disclosing Secrecy-Ordered Subject Must Be NotifiedMPEP 120Required
Subsequent Application Must Be Hand-Carried or MailedMPEP 120Required
Declassified Patent Application RequiredMPEP 130
Export Regulations Must Be Complied With Unless Covered By U.S. ApplicationMPEP 140Required
Secrecy Order Prohibits Export to Foreign CountriesMPEP 140Prohibited
Secrecy Order for Foreign Filing Not Requiring Additional Export PermissionMPEP 140Required
Plant Variety Must State Latin Name and DenominationMPEP 601.05(a)
Specification Must Include Latin Name and Variety DenominationMPEP 601.05(a)
Database of Patented Plants Must Include Latin Name and Variety DenominationMPEP 601.05(a)Required
ADS Required for Plant Patent Database CompilationMPEP 601.05(a)
Requirement for Application Data SheetMPEP 601.05(b)
Disclosure of Secrecy-Ordered Subject Matter Required in ApplicationMPEP 601.05(b)

License Not Required for Initial International Application but May Be Needed for TransmittalMPEP 1832Required
Applicant Must Obtain Secrecy Order for National Security PatentMPEP 120Required
Secrecy Order Requirement for Classified PatentsMPEP 120Required
Requirement for Good Faith Effort to Obtain Secrecy OrderMPEP 120Required
Application Disclosing Secrecy-Ordered Subject Must Be NotifiedMPEP 120Required
Subsequent Application Must Be Hand-Carried or MailedMPEP 120Required
Export Regulations Must Be Complied With Unless Covered By U.S. ApplicationMPEP 140Required
Secrecy Order for Foreign Filing Not Requiring Additional Export PermissionMPEP 140Required
Foreign Filing License Unless Made In U.S. Or Prior Application FiledMPEP 1805Required
Requirement for Foreign Filing License Unless Exemptions ApplyMPEP 1828.01Required
No Foreign Filing License Required for Certain International ApplicationsMPEP 1832Required
Database of Patented Plants Must Include Latin Name and Variety DenominationMPEP 601.05(a)Required

Filing Directly with International Bureau for Priority RestorationMPEP 1828.01Permitted
Request for Priority Restoration After ExpirationMPEP 1828.01Permitted
License for Foreign Filing Required for Non-PCT FilingsMPEP 1832Recommended

MPEP Section	Rules
MPEP § 120	Applicant Must Obtain Secrecy Order for National Security PatentMPEP 120Required Secrecy Order Requirement for Classified PatentsMPEP 120Required Requirement for Good Faith Effort to Obtain Secrecy OrderMPEP 120Required Application Not Published if Detrimental to National SecurityMPEP 120 Application Not Published Until Six Months After FilingMPEP 120 National Security Classified Patent Application Must Be Declassified Before Publication and AllowanceMPEP 120 Compensation Must Be Requested Directly From Causing AgencyMPEP 120Prohibited Application Disclosing Secrecy-Ordered Subject Must Be NotifiedMPEP 120Required Subsequent Application Must Be Hand-Carried or MailedMPEP 120Required
MPEP § 130	Declassified Patent Application RequiredMPEP 130
MPEP § 140	Export Regulations for Foreign Patent ApplicationsMPEP 140 Export Regulations for Foreign FilingMPEP 140 Export Regulations Must Be Complied With Unless Covered By U.S. ApplicationMPEP 140Required Secrecy Order Prohibits Export to Foreign CountriesMPEP 140Prohibited Secrecy Order for Foreign Filing Not Requiring Additional Export PermissionMPEP 140Required
MPEP § 1805	Foreign Filing License Unless Made In U.S. Or Prior Application FiledMPEP 1805Required
MPEP § 1828.01	Filing Directly with International Bureau for Priority RestorationMPEP 1828.01Permitted Request for Priority Restoration After ExpirationMPEP 1828.01Permitted Requirement for Foreign Filing License Unless Exemptions ApplyMPEP 1828.01Required
MPEP § 1832	License Not Required for Initial International Application but May Be Needed for TransmittalMPEP 1832Required License for Foreign Filing Required for Non-PCT FilingsMPEP 1832Recommended No Foreign Filing License Required for Certain International ApplicationsMPEP 1832Required
MPEP § 601.05(a)	Plant Variety Must State Latin Name and DenominationMPEP 601.05(a) Specification Must Include Latin Name and Variety DenominationMPEP 601.05(a) Database of Patented Plants Must Include Latin Name and Variety DenominationMPEP 601.05(a)Required ADS Required for Plant Patent Database CompilationMPEP 601.05(a)
MPEP § 601.05(b)	Requirement for Application Data SheetMPEP 601.05(b) Disclosure of Secrecy-Ordered Subject Matter Required in ApplicationMPEP 601.05(b)

Related Provisions

Based on MPEP Last Modified: 10/30/2024 08:50:22

37 CFR § 5.2 — Secrecy order. (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP

37 CFR § 5.2 Secrecy order.

Summary

Official MPEP § 5.2 — Secrecy order.

5.2 Secrecy order.

Verbatim in MPEP

Required Actions

Key Interpretations

Topics

MPEP Coverage

Related Provisions