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Can I file a US patent application and maintain the secrecy of my invention?
Traditionally, in the United States, a patent application was maintained in confidence until a patent was issued, at which time the issued patent was published. However, to closer conform US patent laws with international practices, as of November 29, 2000, patent applications filed in the US will remain confidential only if the applicant declares it has no intention of filing a foreign application at the time the application is filed. Otherwise, the patent application will be published the earlier of 18 months after filing or when it is issued.
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