Patent pending

Patent Pending
Definition: U.S. Patent Office Statement that a patent search is being conducted (but not yet issued).

The use of "Patent Pending", surprisingly enough, does not fully protect the inventor or manufacturer from competitors.

patent pending A statement issued by the U.S. Patent Office, informing the applicant that a patent has been applied for, but not yet granted. patronage dividend A taxable distribution made by a cooperative to its members.

After filing, an application is often referred to as "patent pending." While this term does not confer legal protection, and a patent cannot be enforced until granted, it serves to provide warning to potential infringers that if the patent is issued, ...

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