Can a national patent office publish information about an international application before international publication?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance 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. A national patent office may inform third parties that it has been designated in an international application and publish that fact. However, the publication can only contain limited bibliographic data, as specified in PCT Article 30(2)(b) : “Such information or publication may, however, contain only the following data: identification of the receiving Office, name of the applicant, international filing date, international application number, and title of the invention.” The national office still cannot allow third parties to access the full application until the conditions outlined in PCT Article 30(2)(a) are met. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse English Translations of International Applications Designating U.S. Available to Public MPEP 110 No General Publication Before International Publication or Priority Date MPEP 110 Required International Applications Subject to Chapter 17 Provisions MPEP 110 Required Requirement for International Applications Filed After Nov 29, 2000 MPEP 110 Patent Office May Not Disclose Secret Applications MPEP 110 Prohibited Copies of International Application Files Can Be Provided Under Specific Conditions MPEP 110 Permitted Copies of International Application Files Upon Request MPEP 110 Access to International Application Files After Publication MPEP 110 Request for International Application File Copies Must Include Publication and Designation of U.S. MPEP 110 Required Request for International Application Copy Must Include Fee and Published Application Front Page MPEP 110 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse When can third parties access an international patent application? What is the confidential nature of i...