Patent gate
Identify potentially patentable subject matter, inventors, prior disclosures, filing objectives, jurisdictions, and counsel decision before enabling publication.
File first when appropriate • Publish only approved facts
Public Technical Disclosure Doctrine
Public disclosure is irreversible. Aurora’s website must inform audiences without sacrificing foreign patent options, trade-secret controls, contractual duties, export compliance, privacy, security, or technical credibility.
Public scopeNon-confidential structure, readiness, and inquiry routing.
Evidence languageConcept, analysis, simulation, prototype, and test remain
distinct.
No implied statusNo patent, funding, clearance, partnership, or job claim without
verification.
Controlled detailEnabling, restricted, personal, and privileged records remain
offline.
Structure
Operating framework
The public page explains the decision structure while detailed records remain controlled offline.
Trade-secret gate
Remove confidential know-how, tolerances, process parameters, source material, supplier details, algorithms, datasets, and combinations whose secrecy provides value.
Contract and sponsor gate
Check NDAs, employment/contractor terms, research agreements, grants, platform terms, publication rights, attribution, and third-party licenses.
Export and security gate
Screen commodities, software, technology, defense articles/services, foreign-person access, cloud hosting, downloads, and retransfer.
Regulatory and safety gate
Do not imply FDA clearance, certification, proven safety, clinical effect, operational readiness, or performance beyond the evidence and permitted claims.
Personal and privileged gate
Remove personal data, credentials, signatures, bank/tax records, internal legal advice, security details, and other restricted information.
Sequence
Decision sequence
Each stage produces a reviewable record before the next commitment is made.
01 — SourceIdentify authoritative technical record and proposed
audience/message.
02 — RedactRemove enabling, confidential, controlled, personal, or
unsupported detail.
03 — ReviewTechnical, patent/IP, contract, export/regulatory, rights, and
business checks.
04 — ApproveNamed authority signs the exact release revision and
channel.
05 — MonitorRecord publication, corrections, takedown, citations, and later
status changes.
Decision aid
Working crosswalk
Use the crosswalk to frame the next review; it does not replace professional analysis of the actual facts.
| May be public after approval | Normally controlled | Requires specialist screening |
|---|---|---|
| Problem context and intended application | Enabling dimensions, parameters, methods, code, or claims | Potentially patentable disclosure |
| Conceptual rendering clearly labeled | Unfiled invention detail and trade-secret know-how | EAR/ITAR technical data or foreign-person access |
| Evidence level and honest limitations | Raw restricted datasets, personal data, credentials | Medical/device claims, safety-critical performance |
| Non-confidential partnership request | Deal economics, cap table, privileged advice, signed agreements | Investor solicitation or securities offering content |
Operating note: The safest operating rule is to
obtain patent/disclosure advice before public release when patent
protection or international rights may matter—not to assume the U.S.
grace period will solve the problem later.
Important limit: USPTO guidance states that
pre-filing public disclosure may preclude patenting in foreign
countries and that a U.S. public disclosure more than one year before
filing can bar U.S. patenting. Apply the rule to the actual facts with
registered patent counsel.
Primary references
Official starting points
Requirements change. Confirm the current rule, program, or filing path with the responsible agency and qualified professional.
USPTO — Provisional patent applications ↗USPTO — Patent Public Search ↗USPTO — Trade secret policy ↗Commerce BIS — Export Administration Regulations ↗State Department DDTC — Understand the ITAR ↗FDA — Device Advice ↗SEC — Resources for small businesses raising capital ↗
Official links and public guidance reviewed August 2, 2026.
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