What is the 18-month publication rule for patent applications?
The 18-month publication rule, as specified in 35 U.S.C. 122(b), requires that most patent applications be published 18 months after their earliest filing date. Specifically, the law states: “Subject to paragraph (2), each application for a patent shall be published, in accordance with procedures determined by the Director, promptly after the expiration of a period…
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