What is the general rule regarding access to pending patent applications?

The correct answer relates to the privacy and confidentiality considerations surrounding pending patent applications. Generally, pending patent applications are not available for public inspection and can only be accessed by authorized persons, such as the applicant, their attorney, or other individuals with legitimate interest or permission from the applicant.

While issued patents are publicly accessible, pending applications are treated differently due to the need to protect the interests of applicants during the examination process. This restriction helps to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information contained within applications until they are published or granted as patents.

The publication of a patent application typically occurs 18 months after the earliest filing date, which may lead to some selections of the question leading to confusion about access at various points. However, until an application is published, general access remains restricted to those authorized to view it.