Can a patent application be “kept secret” (i.e., “not published”) while it is examined at the USPTO? Non-Publication Request An Applicant may avoid pre-grant publication by submitting a “Non-publication request” with the patent application upon filing (this is a statutory requirement and CANNOT be waived). (see MPEP 1122 Requests for Nonpublication) However, if a non-publication request is submitted, the [...]