What is the purpose of a secrecy order in patent applications?

A secrecy order is issued to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information in patent applications that could be detrimental to national security. According to MPEP 120, “The purpose of this Act is to prevent disclosure of inventions by the publication of applications or by the granting of patents that might be detrimental to the national security.” These orders are typically issued for inventions that have military applications or involve critical technologies.

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