What are the penalties for unauthorized disclosure of patent application information?

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.