Plastic2Oil Inc (PTOI)

[righty]

Here is your answer on the matter of patent applications & the term "patent pending":

Posted by: righty Date: Friday, June 25, 2010 6:18:14 PM
In reply to: MorningLightMountain who wrote msg# 52782 Post # of 52999

1. What do the terms “patent pending” and “patent applied for” mean?
A. They are used by a manufacturer or seller of an article to inform the public that an application for patent on that article is on file in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The law imposes a fine on those who use these terms falsely to deceive the public.

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2. Is there any danger that the USPTO will give others information contained in my application while it is pending?
A. Most patent applications filed on or after November 29, 2000, will be published 18 months after the filing date of the application, or any earlier filing date relied upon under Title 35, United States Code. Otherwise, all patent applications are maintained in the strictest confidence until the patent is issued or the application is published. After the application has been published, however, a member of the public may request a copy of the application file. After the patent is issued, the Office file containing the application and all correspondence leading up to issuance of the patent is made available in the Files Information Unit for inspection by anyone, and copies of these files may be purchased from the Office.
http://www.uspto.gov/faq/patents.jsp