What is a non-publication request?

A non-publication request is a request made to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to withhold a patent application from publication. The purpose of the request is to keep the invention confidential while the patent application is being processed, and to prevent infringement. In North Carolina, a non-publication request must be made in writing and must include specific information, such as the name and address of the person or entity making the request. It must also include the title of the invention, the application number, as well as the name of the applicant or applicants. Once a non-publication request is granted, the application will remain unpublished for eighteen months. During that time, the inventor can decide whether to pursue a patent or not. If a patent is granted, the application will become a public record. Finally, if the applicant decides not to pursue a patent, the non-publication request will be canceled at the end of the eighteen-month period. In North Carolina, non-publication requests can be helpful for inventors who want to keep their invention confidential while they decide whether or not to pursue a patent. It also prevents the risk of public disclosure or infringement of the invention during the patent application process.

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What is a non-publication request?

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