What is meant by the “duty of disclosure” in patent applications?

The "duty of disclosure" in patent applications primarily requires that applicants disclose all known material prior art. This is a critical obligation in the patent examination process because it ensures that the patent office has the necessary information to assess the novelty and non-obviousness of the claimed invention. By revealing prior art that is relevant to the patentability of the invention, the applicant helps maintain the integrity of the patent system and ensures that patents are granted only for truly novel and non-obvious inventions.

This duty is in place to prevent applicants from withholding information that could influence the patent examiner’s evaluation. If an applicant fails to disclose known material prior art, they risk the validity of their patent, as such actions can be seen as deceptive and may lead to the unenforceability of the granted patent.

The other options mentioned, such as submitting summaries of the invention, timely payment of filing fees, or providing prototypes, while important in the patent process, do not specifically address the critical duty of disclosure concerning prior art. Therefore, the focus on material prior art makes the correct answer clear and underscores the importance of transparency in patent applications.