Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
Here’s the complete FAQ:
MPEP 101-General (1)
Unauthorized disclosure of patent application information can result in severe penalties for USPTO employees. According to the MPEP:
“Suspension, removal, and even criminal penalties may be imposed for violations of these statutes.”
The relevant statutes include 35 U.S.C. 122 and 18 U.S.C. 2071. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 2071 states that individuals who willfully and unlawfully conceal, remove, mutilate, or destroy official documents may be:
- Fined under this title
- Imprisoned for up to three years
- Disqualified from holding any office under the United States
These penalties underscore the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality in patent application handling.
MPEP 102-Information as to Status of an Application (1)
Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information about the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application, including status information and access to the application, is only given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section of the MPEP.
As stated in 37 CFR 1.14(a): Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information concerning the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application for patent, including status information, and access to the application, will only be given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section.
Patent Law (2)
Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information about the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application, including status information and access to the application, is only given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section of the MPEP.
As stated in 37 CFR 1.14(a): Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information concerning the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application for patent, including status information, and access to the application, will only be given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section.
Unauthorized disclosure of patent application information can result in severe penalties for USPTO employees. According to the MPEP:
“Suspension, removal, and even criminal penalties may be imposed for violations of these statutes.”
The relevant statutes include 35 U.S.C. 122 and 18 U.S.C. 2071. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 2071 states that individuals who willfully and unlawfully conceal, remove, mutilate, or destroy official documents may be:
- Fined under this title
- Imprisoned for up to three years
- Disqualified from holding any office under the United States
These penalties underscore the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality in patent application handling.
Patent Procedure (2)
Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information about the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application, including status information and access to the application, is only given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section of the MPEP.
As stated in 37 CFR 1.14(a): Patent applications that have not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) are generally preserved in confidence pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(a). Information concerning the filing, pendency, or subject matter of an application for patent, including status information, and access to the application, will only be given to the public as set forth in § 1.11 or in this section.
Unauthorized disclosure of patent application information can result in severe penalties for USPTO employees. According to the MPEP:
“Suspension, removal, and even criminal penalties may be imposed for violations of these statutes.”
The relevant statutes include 35 U.S.C. 122 and 18 U.S.C. 2071. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 2071 states that individuals who willfully and unlawfully conceal, remove, mutilate, or destroy official documents may be:
- Fined under this title
- Imprisoned for up to three years
- Disqualified from holding any office under the United States
These penalties underscore the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality in patent application handling.