Patent offices require applicants for a patent to display a high level of candor with the patent office. Failure to display such candor by, for example, not disclosing relevant information (such as known prior art), is in the United States known as inequitable conduct, which can render a patent unenforceable, or if it involves outright false statements can rise to the level of fraud on the Patent Office for which there can be potentially more serious penalties (including but not limited to cancellation of the patent).