[amsat-bb] Patent pending

[Hank Riley <n1ltv@xxxxxxxxx>]

> "patent-pending" is a non-term. It could mean anything 
> from "we're thinking maybe someday that we may make some 
> sort of patent application about something, maybe" ....


from the United States Patent and Trademark Office:

  Some persons mark articles sold with the terms "Patent 
  Applied For" or "Patent Pending."  These phrases have 
  no legal effect, but only give information that an 
  **application for patent has been filed** in the Patent 
  and Trademark Office.
  
  The protection afforded by a patent does not start until 
  the actual grant of the patent.  False use of these 
  phrases or their equivalent is prohibited. 


Hank, N1LTV

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