Title 35, PatentsRelease 119-102
§205 Confidentiality
Title 35 › PART II — PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS AND GRANT OF PATENTS › CHAPTER 18 — PATENT RIGHTS IN INVENTIONS MADE WITH FEDERAL ASSISTANCE › § 205
Summary
Federal agencies can keep secret information about an invention the government owns or might own part of, including nonexclusive licenses, for a reasonable time so a patent application can be filed. Agencies also do not have to give out copies of documents that are part of patent applications filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or any foreign patent office.
Full Legal Text
Title 35, §205
Patents, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Federal agencies are authorized to withhold from disclosure to the public information disclosing any invention in which the Federal Government owns or may own a right, title, or interest (including a nonexclusive license) for a reasonable time in order for a patent application to be filed. Furthermore, Federal agencies shall not be required to release copies of any document which is part of an application for patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or with any foreign patent office.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1981, but implementing
Regulations
authorized to be issued earlier, see section 8(f) of Pub. L. 96–517, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1980 Amendment note under section 41 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
35 U.S.C. § 205
Title 35, Patents
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102