What types of sensitive information does the USPTO aim to protect in patent applications?

The USPTO recognizes the importance of protecting certain types of sensitive information in patent applications. According to MPEP 724.01, the Office aims to protect trade secret, proprietary, and protective order material to the extent possible. These categories of information are often crucial to an inventor’s competitive advantage and require special handling to prevent unnecessary public disclosure while still maintaining the integrity of the patent examination process.

To learn more:

• trade secrets
• proprietary information
• protective order material
• sensitive information
• patent applications