What are the consequences of violating a secrecy order?

Violating a secrecy order can have severe 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.” Specifically:

• The fine can be up to $10,000
• Imprisonment can be up to two years
• These penalties apply for each offense

Additionally, violation of a secrecy order can result in the abandonment of the application. It’s crucial for inventors and patent practitioners to strictly adhere to secrecy orders to avoid these serious legal consequences.