Secrecy, Access, National Security, and Foreign Filing
Quick Statistics
Number of Pages: 36 pgs
Sections: 101 – 151
Brief Summary
This chapter covers the confidentiality of patent applications and patent related documents. The focus is on who may or may not access particular application types.
Any patent application that contains a sensitive issue will be placed under a secrecy order by the PTO. Absolutely no member of the public may view these patents even after they have issued.
Foreign filing licenses must be issued if an applicant wants to apply for a patent on the same subject matter in a foreign country immediately after filing for a U.S. patent.
Key Terms
| Secrecy Orders | National Security | Foreign Filing Licenses |
| Access | Statements to DOE and NASA |
37 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)
| 37 CFR 1.14 | Patent applications preserved in confidence. |
| 37 CFR 5.12 | Petition for license. |
35 USC (United States Code)
| 35 USC 184 | Filing of application in foreign country. |
| 35 USC 122 | Confidential status of applications; publication of patent applications. |