FAQs Patent Questions

Question:On filing a plant or utility application on or after 11/29/2000 Inventors may choose to not publish their application

Answer:
On filing of a plant or utility application on or after November 29, 2000, an applicant may request that the application not be published, but only if the invention has not been and will not be the subject of an application filed in a foreign country that requires publication 18 months after filing (or earlier claimed priority date) or under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

Question:What is a trade secret?

Answer:
A trade secret is information that companies keep secret to give them an advantage over their competitors. No mechanism exists to federally record or register a trade secret.

Question:Will the USPTO help me to select a patent attorney or agent to make my patent search or to prepare and prosecute my patent application?

Answer:
No. The Office cannot make this choice for you. However, your own friends or general attorney may help you in making a selection from among those listed as registered practitioners on the Office roster. Also, some bar associations operate lawyer referral services that maintain lists of patent lawyers available to accept new clients.

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