patentpending

Patentpending refers to a status of an invention for which a patent application has been filed but not yet granted or rejected. It is often indicated by the phrase "Patent Pending" or "Patent applied for" displayed on a product or in its marketing materials. This designation serves as a public notice that the inventor or applicant has initiated the patent process.

The primary purpose of marking a product as patent pending is to deter potential infringers. While it does not grant any exclusive rights to the inventor, it alerts competitors that the invention is protected by an ongoing patent application. This can discourage them from developing or marketing similar products during the examination period, which can be lengthy.

Once a patent application is filed with a patent office, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the European Patent Office (EPO), the invention enters the examination phase. During this period, a patent examiner reviews the application to determine if the invention meets the criteria for patentability, which typically include novelty, non-obviousness, and utility. The applicant may also be required to respond to objections or provide additional information.

The "patent pending" status remains in effect until the patent is either granted or the application is abandoned or rejected. If a patent is granted, the applicant then gains exclusive rights to the invention for a limited period. If the application is rejected and not successfully appealed, the invention is no longer protected by that specific patent application, and the "patent pending" designation should be removed.