Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 27, 2013
Wysebridge Patent Bar Review, the rapidly growing provider of study materials and resources for the Patent Bar Exam, responds to the USPTO announcement requiring test-takers to sign non disclosure agreements prior to the exam. This change will also be implemented on April 2nd, adding to the already major overhaul of the exam itself.
According the the USPTO, "Anyone taking the registration examination is expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting the content, or substantially similar content, of the examination, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose. Beginning April 2, 2013, at each test site, every applicant will be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement as a condition to sitting for the examination. Applicants should expect to encounter the following text on a computer screen at the examination."
What this means, is starting April 2nd, 2013 in order to take the test, individuals will have to sign a document that expressly prevents each and every test-taker from "transmitting" anything, anything, pertaining to the exam or content of the exam. Transmitting could be in the form of verbal, written, electronic. Thus, discussions about the exam, or material seen, or questions showing up on the exam, will be expressly forbidden and if performed, could bear legal repercussions.
For many, these types of discussions about past questions and material being tested have been the cornerstone of studying online. Come April, this invaluable study resource could disappear, leaving future test-takers at a severe disadvantage. Instead of having access to samples of questions being asked on actual exams, test-takers will be forced to rely on other means to study for the patent bar.
The below is a sample of what the NDA could look like starting April 2nd on the Patent Bar Exam:
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL TERMS OF USE FOR EXAMS DEVELOPED FOR THE OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT AND DISCIPLINE OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
This exam is confidential and proprietary. It is made available to you, the examinee, solely for the purpose of assessing your proficiency level in the skill area referenced in the title of this exam. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting the content, or substantially similar content, of this exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose. By clicking “Yes” below, you agree not to disclose, publish, reproduce, or transmit the content, or substantially similar content, of this exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose.
o Yes, “I have read and agree to the terms stated above.”
o No, “I Do Not Agree.”
As stated, if a test-taker does NOT agree to this, they will be prevented from actually taking the exam.
In summary, this additional change will further alter the landscape of study materials for the Patent Bar Exam come April, and could result in the USPTO taking legal action against offenders. Test-takers will want to be aware of the potential ramifications of discussing material online, especially post-April.
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About Wysebridge Patent Bar Review
Wysebridge Patent Bar Review is an information and educational company formed in 2012 dedicated to assisting individuals study for and pass the patent bar exam.