What happens if a secrecy order is violated?

What happens if a secrecy order is violated?

Violating a secrecy order can have serious 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 (35 U.S.C. 186), and may result in loss of patent rights (35 U.S.C. 182).” This means that individuals who disclose information about an application under a secrecy order without proper authorization may face:

• Monetary fines
• Imprisonment
• Loss of patent rights

It’s crucial for inventors, patent agents, and attorneys to strictly adhere to secrecy orders to avoid these severe penalties.

For more information on unauthorized disclosure, visit: unauthorized disclosure.