What do the terms “patent pending,” “patent pend.” and “patent applied for” mean?
These are terms placed on products or product packaging to inform the public that the manufacturer or seller has applied for patent protection in the U.S. Once a patent has issued, a patent holder is supposed to place the patent number on its products covered by the patent (and remove the “patent pending” markings). This is referred to as patent marking. A manufacturer or seller is not permitted to falsely mark its products.
A. These are terms placed on products or product packaging to inform the public that the manufacturer or seller has applied for patent protection in the U.S. Once a patent has issued, a patent holder is supposed to place the patent number on its products covered by the patent (and remove the “patent pending” markings). This is referred to as patent marking. A manufacturer or seller is not permitted to falsely mark its products.
