Public disclosure prior to filing may eliminate foreign patent rights immediately.
In the United States, inventors generally have one year from the date of first public disclosure or publication to file a patent application.
The one-year grace period under U.S. patent law may permit a later U.S. patent filing. However, inventors should disclose inventions to OTC well before any public disclosure in order to preserve potential foreign patent rights.
Almost any disclosure made without an obligation of confidentiality may constitute public disclosure.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
On March 16, 2013, the U.S. patent system switched to a “first-inventor-to-file” system.
Dates of disclosure are important because, in the United States, inventors generally have one year from the date of public disclosure to file a patent application. Once one year has passed from the public disclosure date, patent rights may be lost.
The description should be as detailed as possible. Without adequate information, OTC cannot perform a complete evaluation of the invention’s licensing potential or obtain an accurate legal opinion regarding patentability.
Writing winners were honored at the Kent State University English Department Awards Ceremony on April 15, 2026. The Writing Program presented each winning student with a certificate for excellence in the College Writing category from across all eight campuses. Perryman Awards were selected from among all seven of Kent State’s regional campuses.These award winners were the students of four Geauga/TAC faculty members: Assistant Professor of English Sorina Ailiesei, Professor of University Libraries Mary Hricko, Senior Lecturer of English Mahli Mechenbier, and Associate Professor of English Bonni...
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to its season of possibilities, beginning on June 12, 2026. In its 58th season, Porthouse Theatre will present “Grease,” “Side Show In Concert,” and “Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon” in the summer of 2026.“Grease” opens June 12 and runs through June 27. The preview performance will take place on June 12. Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys’ and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “P...
