assignment recordation cover sheet

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15 U.S.C. 1123 ; 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2) .

57 FR 29642 , July 6, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

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Editorial note on subchapter a of chapter i, editorial note:.

Part 2 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

PART 3—ASSIGNMENT, RECORDING AND RIGHTS OF ASSIGNEE

Editorial note.

Nomenclature changes to part 3 appear at 68 FR 14337 , Mar. 25, 2003.

§ 3.1 Definitions.

For purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply:

Application means a national application for patent, an international patent application that designates the United States of America, an international design application that designates the United States of America, or an application to register a trademark under section 1 or 44 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. 1051 , or 15 U.S.C. 1126 , unless otherwise indicated.

Assignment means a transfer by a party of all or part of its right, title and interest in a patent, patent application, registered mark or a mark for which an application to register has been filed.

Document means a document which a party requests to be recorded in the Office pursuant to § 3.11 and which affects some interest in an application, patent, or registration.

Office means the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Recorded document means a document which has been recorded in the Office pursuant to § 3.11 .

Registration means a trademark registration issued by the Office.

[ 69 FR 29878 , May 26, 2004, as amended at 80 FR 17969 , Apr. 2, 2015]

Documents Eligible for Recording

§ 3.11 documents which will be recorded..

( a ) Assignments of applications, patents, and registrations, and other documents relating to interests in patent applications and patents, accompanied by completed cover sheets as specified in § 3.28 and § 3.31 , will be recorded in the Office. Other documents, accompanied by completed cover sheets as specified in § 3.28 and § 3.31 , affecting title to applications, patents, or registrations, will be recorded as provided in this part or at the discretion of the Director.

( b ) Executive Order 9424 of February 18, 1944 ( 9 FR 1959 , 3 CFR 1943-1948 Comp., p. 303) requires the several departments and other executive agencies of the Government, including Government-owned or Government-controlled corporations, to forward promptly to the Director for recording all licenses, assignments, or other interests of the Government in or under patents or patent applications. Assignments and other documents affecting title to patents or patent applications and documents not affecting title to patents or patent applications required by Executive Order 9424 to be filed will be recorded as provided in this part.

( c ) A joint research agreement or an excerpt of a joint research agreement will also be recorded as provided in this part.

[ 62 FR 53202 , Oct. 10, 1997, as amended at 70 FR 1824 , Jan. 11, 2005; 70 FR 54267 , Sept. 14, 2005; 78 FR 62408 , Oct. 21, 2013]

§ 3.16 Assignability of trademarks prior to filing of an allegation of use.

Before an allegation of use under either 15 U.S.C. 1051(c) or 15 U.S.C. 1051(d) is filed, an applicant may only assign an application to register a mark under 15 U.S.C. 1051(b) to a successor to the applicant's business, or portion of the business to which the mark pertains, if that business is ongoing and existing.

[ 64 FR 48926 , Sept. 8, 1999]

Requirements for Recording

§ 3.21 identification of patents and patent applications..

An assignment relating to a patent must identify the patent by the patent number. An assignment relating to a national patent application must identify the national patent application by the application number (consisting of the series code and the serial number; e.g., 07/123,456). An assignment relating to an international patent application which designates the United States of America must identify the international application by the international application number; e.g., PCT/US2012/012345. An assignment relating to an international design application which designates the United States of America must identify the international design application by the international registration number or by the U.S. application number assigned to the international design application. If an assignment of a patent application filed under § 1.53(b) of this chapter is executed concurrently with, or subsequent to, the execution of the patent application, but before the patent application is filed, it must identify the patent application by the name of each inventor and the title of the invention so that there can be no mistake as to the patent application intended. If an assignment of a provisional application under § 1.53(c) of this chapter is executed before the provisional application is filed, it must identify the provisional application by the name of each inventor and the title of the invention so that there can be no mistake as to the provisional application intended.

[ 80 FR 17969 , Apr. 2, 2015]

§ 3.24 Requirements for documents and cover sheets relating to patents and patent applications.

( a ) For electronic submissions: Either a copy of the original document or an extract of the original document may be submitted for recording. All documents must be submitted as digitized images in Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) or another form as prescribed by the Director. When printed to a paper size of either 21.6 by 27.9 cm (8 1 ⁄ 2 by 11 inches) or 21.0 by 29.7 cm (DIN size A4), the document must be legible and a 2.5 cm (one-inch) margin must be present on all sides.

( b ) For paper or facsimile submissions: Either a copy of the original document or an extract of the original document must be submitted for recording. Only one side of each page may be used. The paper size must be either 21.6 by 27.9 cm (8 1 ⁄ 2 by 11 inches) or 21.0 by 29.7 cm (DIN size A4), and in either case, a 2.5 cm (one-inch) margin must be present on all sides. For paper submissions, the paper used should be flexible, strong white, non-shiny, and durable. The Office will not return recorded documents, so original documents must not be submitted for recording.

[ 69 FR 29879 , May 26, 2004]

§ 3.25 Recording requirements for trademark applications and registrations.

( a ) Documents affecting title. To record documents affecting title to a trademark application or registration, a legible cover sheet ( see § 3.31 ) and one of the following must be submitted:

( 1 ) A copy of the original document;

( 2 ) A copy of an extract from the document evidencing the effect on title; or

( 3 ) A statement signed by both the party conveying the interest and the party receiving the interest explaining how the conveyance affects title.

( b ) Name changes. Only a legible cover sheet is required ( See § 3.31 ).

( c ) All documents.

( 1 ) For electronic submissions: All documents must be submitted as digitized images in Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) or another form as prescribed by the Director. When printed to a paper size of either 21.6 by 27.9 cm (8 1 ⁄ 2 by 11 inches) or 21.0 by 29.7 cm (DIN size A4), a 2.5 cm (one-inch) margin must be present on all sides.

( 2 ) For paper or facsimile submissions: All documents should be submitted on white and non-shiny paper that is either 8 1 ⁄ 2 by 11 inches (21.6 by 27.9 cm) or DIN size A4 (21.0 by 29.7 cm) with a one-inch (2.5 cm) margin on all sides in either case. Only one side of each page may be used. The Office will not return recorded documents, so original documents should not be submitted for recording.

§ 3.26 English language requirement.

The Office will accept and record non-English language documents only if accompanied by an English translation signed by the individual making the translation.

[ 62 FR 53202 , Oct. 10, 1997]

§ 3.27 Mailing address for submitting documents to be recorded.

Documents and cover sheets submitted by mail for recordation should be addressed to Mail Stop Assignment Recordation Services, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450, unless they are filed together with new applications.

§ 3.28 Requests for recording.

Each document submitted to the Office for recording must include a single cover sheet (as specified in § 3.31 ) referring either to those patent applications and patents, or to those trademark applications and registrations, against which the document is to be recorded. If a document to be recorded includes interests in, or transactions involving, both patents and trademarks, then separate patent and trademark cover sheets, each accompanied by a copy of the document to be recorded, must be submitted. If a document to be recorded is not accompanied by a completed cover sheet, the document and the incomplete cover sheet will be returned pursuant to § 3.51 for proper completion, in which case the document and a completed cover sheet should be resubmitted.

[ 70 FR 56128 , Sept. 26, 2005]

Cover Sheet Requirements

§ 3.31 cover sheet content..

( a ) Each patent or trademark cover sheet required by § 3.28 must contain:

( 1 ) The name of the party conveying the interest;

( 2 ) The name and address of the party receiving the interest;

( 3 ) A description of the interest conveyed or transaction to be recorded;

( 4 ) Identification of the interests involved:

( i ) For trademark assignments and trademark name changes: Each trademark registration number and each trademark application number, if known, against which the Office is to record the document. If the trademark application number is not known, a copy of the application or a reproduction of the trademark must be submitted, along with an estimate of the date that the Office received the application; or

( ii ) For any other document affecting title to a trademark or patent application, registration or patent: Each trademark or patent application number or each trademark registration number or patent against which the document is to be recorded, or an indication that the document is filed together with a patent application;

( 5 ) The name and address of the party to whom correspondence concerning the request to record the document should be mailed;

( 6 ) The date the document was executed;

( 7 ) The signature of the party submitting the document. For an assignment document or name change filed electronically, the person who signs the cover sheet must either:

( i ) Place a symbol comprised of letters, numbers, and/or punctuation marks between forward slash marks (e.g., /Thomas O'Malley III/) in the signature block on the electronic submission; or

( ii ) Sign the cover sheet using some other form of electronic signature specified by the Director.

( 8 ) For trademark assignments, the entity and citizenship of the party receiving the interest. In addition, if the party receiving the interest is a domestic partnership or domestic joint venture, the cover sheet must set forth the names, legal entities, and national citizenship (or the state or country of organization) of all general partners or active members that compose the partnership or joint venture.

( b ) A cover sheet should not refer to both patents and trademarks, since any information, including information about pending patent applications, submitted with a request for recordation of a document against a trademark application or trademark registration will become public record upon recordation.

( c ) Each patent cover sheet required by § 3.28 seeking to record a governmental interest as provided by § 3.11(b) must:

( 1 ) Indicate that the document relates to a Government interest; and

( 2 ) Indicate, if applicable, that the document to be recorded is not a document affecting title (see § 3.41(b) ).

( d ) Each trademark cover sheet required by § 3.28 seeking to record a document against a trademark application or registration should include, in addition to the serial number or registration number of the trademark, identification of the trademark or a description of the trademark, against which the Office is to record the document.

( e ) Each patent or trademark cover sheet required by § 3.28 should contain the number of applications, patents or registrations identified in the cover sheet and the total fee.

( f ) Each trademark cover sheet should include the citizenship of the party conveying the interest.

( g ) The cover sheet required by § 3.28 seeking to record a joint research agreement or an excerpt of a joint research agreement as provided by § 3.11(c) must:

( 1 ) Identify the document as a “joint research agreement” (in the space provided for the description of the interest conveyed or transaction to be recorded if using an Office-provided form);

( 2 ) Indicate the name of the owner of the application or patent (in the space provided for the name and address of the party receiving the interest if using an Office-provided form);

( 3 ) Indicate the name of each other party to the joint research agreement party (in the space provided for the name of the party conveying the interest if using an Office-provided form); and

( 4 ) Indicate the date the joint research agreement was executed.

( h ) The assignment cover sheet required by § 3.28 for a patent application or patent will be satisfied by the Patent Law Treaty Model International Request for Recordation of Change in Applicant or Owner Form, Patent Law Treaty Model International Request for Recordation of a License/Cancellation of the Recordation of a License Form, Patent Law Treaty Model Certificate of Transfer Form or Patent Law Treaty Model International Request for Recordation of a Security Interest/Cancellation of the Recordation of a Security Interest Form, as applicable, except where the assignment is also an oath or declaration under § 1.63 of this chapter . An assignment cover sheet required by § 3.28 must contain a conspicuous indication of an intent to utilize the assignment as an oath or declaration under § 1.63 of this chapter .

[ 57 FR 29642 , July 6, 1992, as amended at 62 FR 53202 , Oct. 10, 1997; 64 FR 48927 , Sept. 8, 1999; 67 FR 79523 , Dec. 30, 2002; 69 FR 29879 , May 26, 2004; 70 FR 1824 , Jan. 11, 2005; 70 FR 56128 , Sept. 26, 2005; 73 FR 67775 , Nov. 17, 2008; 77 FR 48825 , Aug. 14, 2012; 78 FR 62408 , Oct. 21, 2013]

§ 3.34 Correction of cover sheet errors.

( a ) An error in a cover sheet recorded pursuant to § 3.11 will be corrected only if:

( 1 ) The error is apparent when the cover sheet is compared with the recorded document to which it pertains, and

( 2 ) A corrected cover sheet is filed for recordation.

( b ) The corrected cover sheet must be accompanied by a copy of the document originally submitted for recording and by the recording fee as set forth in § 3.41 .

§ 3.41 Recording fees.

( a ) All requests to record documents must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a fee is required for each application, patent and registration against which the document is recorded as identified in the cover sheet. The recording fee is set in § 1.21(h) of this chapter for patents and in § 2.6(b)(6) of this chapter for trademarks.

( b ) No fee is required for each patent application and patent against which a document required by Executive Order 9424 is to be filed if:

( 1 ) The document does not affect title and is so identified in the cover sheet (see § 3.31(c)(2) ); and

( 2 ) The document and cover sheet are either: Faxed or electronically submitted as prescribed by the Director, or mailed to the Office in compliance with § 3.27 .

[ 63 FR 52159 , Sept. 30, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29879 , May 26, 2004]

Date and Effect of Recording

§ 3.51 recording date..

The date of recording of a document is the date the document meeting the requirements for recording set forth in this part is filed in the Office. A document which does not comply with the identification requirements of § 3.21 will not be recorded. Documents not meeting the other requirements for recording, for example, a document submitted without a completed cover sheet or without the required fee, will be returned for correction to the sender where a correspondence address is available. The returned papers, stamped with the original date of receipt by the Office, will be accompanied by a letter which will indicate that if the returned papers are corrected and resubmitted to the Office within the time specified in the letter, the Office will consider the original date of filing of the papers as the date of recording of the document. The procedure set forth in § 1.8 or § 1.10 of this chapter may be used for resubmissions of returned papers to have the benefit of the date of deposit in the United States Postal Service. If the returned papers are not corrected and resubmitted within the specified period, the date of filing of the corrected papers will be considered to be the date of recording of the document. The specified period to resubmit the returned papers will not be extended.

[ 62 FR 53203 , Oct. 10, 1997]

§ 3.54 Effect of recording.

The recording of a document pursuant to § 3.11 is not a determination by the Office of the validity of the document or the effect that document has on the title to an application, a patent, or a registration. When necessary, the Office will determine what effect a document has, including whether a party has the authority to take an action in a matter pending before the Office.

§ 3.56 Conditional assignments.

Assignments which are made conditional on the performance of certain acts or events, such as the payment of money or other condition subsequent, if recorded in the Office, are regarded as absolute assignments for Office purposes until cancelled with the written consent of all parties or by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Office does not determine whether such conditions have been fulfilled.

§ 3.58 Governmental registers.

( a ) The Office will maintain a Departmental Register to record governmental interests required to be recorded by Executive Order 9424. This Departmental Register will not be open to public inspection but will be available for examination and inspection by duly authorized representatives of the Government. Governmental interests recorded on the Departmental Register will be available for public inspection as provided in § 1.12 .

( b ) The Office will maintain a Secret Register to record governmental interests required to be recorded by Executive Order 9424. Any instrument to be recorded will be placed on this Secret Register at the request of the department or agency submitting the same. No information will be given concerning any instrument in such record or register, and no examination or inspection thereof or of the index thereto will be permitted, except on the written authority of the head of the department or agency which submitted the instrument and requested secrecy, and the approval of such authority by the Director. No instrument or record other than the one specified may be examined, and the examination must take place in the presence of a designated official of the Patent and Trademark Office. When the department or agency which submitted an instrument no longer requires secrecy with respect to that instrument, it must be recorded anew in the Departmental Register.

Domestic Representative

§ 3.61 domestic representative..

If the assignee of a patent, patent application, trademark application or trademark registration is not domiciled in the United States, the assignee may designate a domestic representative in a document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The designation should state the name and address of a person residing within the United States on whom may be served process or notice of proceedings affecting the application, patent or registration or rights thereunder.

[ 67 FR 79522 , Dec. 30, 2002]

Action Taken by Assignee

§ 3.71 prosecution by assignee..

( a ) Patents—conducting of prosecution. One or more assignees as defined in paragraph (b) of this section may conduct prosecution of a national patent application as the applicant under § 1.46 of this title , or conduct prosecution of a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding, to the exclusion of the inventor or previous applicant or patent owner. Conflicts between purported assignees are handled in accordance with § 3.73(c)(3) .

( b ) Patents—assignee(s) who can prosecute. The assignee(s) who may conduct either the prosecution of a national application for patent as the applicant under § 1.46 of this title or a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding are:

( 1 ) A single assignee. An assignee of the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent, or

( 2 ) Partial assignee(s) together or with inventor(s). All partial assignees, or all partial assignees and inventors who have not assigned their right, title and interest in the application or patent, who together own the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent. A partial assignee is any assignee having less than the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent. The word “assignee” as used in this chapter means with respect to patent matters the single assignee of the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent if there is such a single assignee, or all of the partial assignees, or all of the partial assignee and inventors who have not assigned their interest in the application or patent, who together own the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent.

( c ) Patents—Becoming of record. An assignee becomes of record as the applicant in a national patent application under § 1.46 of this title , and in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding, by filing a statement in compliance with § 3.73(c) that is signed by a party who is authorized to act on behalf of the assignee.

( d ) Trademarks. The assignee of a trademark application or registration may prosecute a trademark application, submit documents to maintain a trademark registration, or file papers against a third party in reliance on the assignee's trademark application or registration, to the exclusion of the original applicant or previous assignee. The assignee must establish ownership in compliance with § 3.73(b) .

[ 65 FR 54682 , Sept. 8, 2000, as amended at 77 FR 48825 , Aug. 14, 2012]

§ 3.73 Establishing right of assignee to take action.

( a ) The original applicant is presumed to be the owner of an application for an original patent, and any patent that may issue therefrom, unless there is an assignment. The original applicant is presumed to be the owner of a trademark application or registration, unless there is an assignment.

( b ) In order to request or take action in a trademark matter, the assignee must establish its ownership of the trademark property of paragraph (a) of this section to the satisfaction of the Director. The establishment of ownership by the assignee may be combined with the paper that requests or takes the action. Ownership is established by submitting to the Office a signed statement identifying the assignee, accompanied by either:

( 1 ) Documentary evidence of a chain of title from the original owner to the assignee ( e.g., copy of an executed assignment). The documents submitted to establish ownership may be required to be recorded pursuant to § 3.11 in the assignment records of the Office as a condition to permitting the assignee to take action in a matter pending before the Office; or

( 2 ) A statement specifying where documentary evidence of a chain of title from the original owner to the assignee is recorded in the assignment records of the Office ( e.g., reel and frame number).

( 1 ) In order to request or take action in a patent matter, an assignee who is not the original applicant must establish its ownership of the patent property of paragraph (a) of this section to the satisfaction of the Director. The establishment of ownership by the assignee may be combined with the paper that requests or takes the action. Ownership is established by submitting to the Office a signed statement identifying the assignee, accompanied by either:

( i ) Documentary evidence of a chain of title from the original owner to the assignee ( e.g., copy of an executed assignment). The submission of the documentary evidence must be accompanied by a statement affirming that the documentary evidence of the chain of title from the original owner to the assignee was or concurrently is being submitted for recordation pursuant to § 3.11 ; or

( ii ) A statement specifying where documentary evidence of a chain of title from the original owner to the assignee is recorded in the assignment records of the Office ( e.g., reel and frame number).

( 2 ) If the submission is by an assignee of less than the entire right, title and interest ( e.g., more than one assignee exists) the Office may refuse to accept the submission as an establishment of ownership unless:

( i ) Each assignee establishes the extent (by percentage) of its ownership interest, so as to account for the entire right, title and interest in the application or patent by all parties including inventors; or

( ii ) Each assignee submits a statement identifying the parties including inventors who together own the entire right, title and interest and stating that all the identified parties own the entire right, title and interest.

( 3 ) If two or more purported assignees file conflicting statements under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Director will determine which, if any, purported assignee will be permitted to control prosecution of the application.

( d ) The submission establishing ownership under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section must show that the person signing the submission is a person authorized to act on behalf of the assignee by:

( 1 ) Including a statement that the person signing the submission is authorized to act on behalf of the assignee;

( 2 ) Being signed by a person having apparent authority to sign on behalf of the assignee; or

( 3 ) For patent matters only, being signed by a practitioner of record.

[ 77 FR 48825 , Aug. 14, 2012]

Issuance to Assignee

§ 3.81 issue of patent to assignee..

( a ) With payment of the issue fee: An application may issue in the name of the assignee consistent with the application's assignment where a request for such issuance is submitted with payment of the issue fee, provided the assignment has been previously recorded in the Office. If the assignment has not been previously recorded, the request must state that the document has been filed for recordation as set forth in § 3.11 .

( b ) After payment of the issue fee: Any request for issuance of an application in the name of the assignee submitted after the date of payment of the issue fee, and any request for a patent to be corrected to state the name of the assignee, must state that the assignment was submitted for recordation as set forth in § 3.11 before issuance of the patent, and must include a request for a certificate of correction under § 1.323 of this chapter (accompanied by the fee set forth in § 1.20(a) ) and the processing fee set forth in § 1.17(i) of this chapter .

( c ) Partial assignees.

( 1 ) If one or more assignee, together with one or more inventor, holds the entire right, title, and interest in the application, the patent may issue in the names of the assignee and the inventor.

( 2 ) If multiple assignees hold the entire right, title, and interest to the exclusion of all the inventors, the patent may issue in the names of the multiple assignees.

§ 3.85 Issue of registration to assignee.

The certificate of registration may be issued to the assignee of the applicant, or in a new name of the applicant, provided that the party files a written request in the trademark application by the time the application is being prepared for issuance of the certificate of registration, and the appropriate document is recorded in the Office. If the assignment or name change document has not been recorded in the Office, then the written request must state that the document has been filed for recordation. The address of the assignee must be made of record in the application file.

Part 6 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

Part 7 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

Part 1 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

Part 3 pertaining to both patents and trademarks is placed in the grouping pertaining to patents regulations.

Part 4 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

Part 5 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

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29 Jan 2024

Patent Assignment: How to Transfer Ownership of a Patent

By Michael K. Henry, Ph.D.

• Intellectual Property
• Patent Prosecution

This is the second in a two-part blog series on owning and transferring the rights to a patent. ( Read part one here. )

As we discussed in the first post in this series, patent owners enjoy important legal and commercial benefits: They have the right to exclude others from making, selling, using or importing the claimed invention, and to claim damages from anyone who infringes their patent.

However, a business entity can own a patent only if the inventors have assigned the patent rights to the business entity. So if your employees are creating valuable IP on behalf of your company, it’s important to get the patent assignment right, to ensure that your business is the patent owner.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what a patent assignment even is — and the best practices for approaching the process. But remember, assignment (or transfer of ownership) is a function of state law, so there might be some variation by state in how all this gets treated.

What Is a Patent Assignment and Why Does it Matter?

A patent assignment is an agreement where one entity (the “assignor”) transfers all or part of their right, title and interest in a patent or application to another entity (the “assignee”). 

In simpler terms, the assignee receives the original owner’s interest and gains the exclusive rights to pursue patent protection (through filing and prosecuting patent applications), and also to license and enforce the patent. 

Ideally, your business should own its patents if it wants to enjoy the benefits of the patent rights. But  under U.S. law , only an inventor or an assignee can own a patent — and businesses cannot be listed as an inventor. Accordingly, patent assignment is the legal mechanism that transfers ownership from the inventor to your business.

Patent Assignment vs. Licensing

Keep in mind that an assignment is different from a license. The difference is analogous to selling versus renting a house.

In a license agreement, the patent owner (the “licensor”) gives another entity (the “licensee”) permission to use the patented technology, while the patent owner retains ownership. Like a property rental, a patent license contemplates an ongoing relationship between the licensor and licensee.

In a patent assignment, the original owner permanently transfers its ownership to another entity. Like a property sale, a patent assignment is a permanent transfer of legal rights.

U sing Employment Agreements to Transfer Patent Ownership

Before your employees begin developing IP,  implement strong hiring policies  that ensure your IP rights will be legally enforceable in future.

If you’re bringing on a new employee, have them sign an  employment agreement  that establishes up front what IP the company owns — typically, anything the employee invents while under your employment. This part of an employment agreement is often presented as a self-contained document, and referred to as a “Pre-Invention Assignment Agreement” (PIAA).

The employment agreement should include the following provisions:

• Advance assignment of any IP created while employed by your company, or using your company’s resources
• An obligation to disclose any IP created while employed by your company, or using your company’s resources
• An ongoing obligation to provide necessary information and execute documents related to the IP they created while employed, even after their employment ends
• An obligation not to disclose confidential information to third parties, including when the employee moves on to a new employer

To track the IP your employees create, encourage your employees to document their contributions by completing  invention disclosure records .

But the paperwork can be quite involved, which is why your employment policies should also include  incentives to create and disclose valuable IP .

Drafting Agreements for Non-Employees

Some of the innovators working for your business might not have a formal employer-employee relationship with the business. If you don’t make the appropriate arrangements beforehand, this could complicate patent assignments. Keep an eye out for the following staffing arrangements:

• Independent contractors:  Some inventors may be self-employed, or they may be employed by one of your service providers.
• Joint collaborators:  Some inventors may be employed by, say, a subsidiary or service company instead of your company.
• Anyone who did work through an educational institution : For example, Ph.D. candidates may not be employees of either their sponsoring institution or your company.

In these cases, you can still draft contractor or collaborator agreements using the same terms outlined above. Make sure the individual innovator signs it before beginning any work on behalf of your company.

O btaining Written Assignments for New Patent Applications

In addition to getting signed employment agreements, you should  also  get a written assignments for each new patent application when it’s filed, in order to memorialize ownership of the specific patent property.

Don’t rely exclusively on the employment agreement to prove ownership:

• The employment agreement might contain confidential terms, so you don’t want to record them with the patent office
• Because employment agreements are executed before beginning the process of developing the invention, they won’t clearly establish what specific patent applications are being assigned

While you  can  execute the formal assignment for each patent application after the application has been filed, an inventor or co-inventor who no longer works for the company might refuse to execute the assignment.

As such, we recommend executing the assignment before filing, to show ownership as of the filing date and avoid complications (like getting signatures from estranged inventors).

How to Execute a Written Patent Agreement

Well-executed invention assignments should:

• Be in writing:  Oral agreements to assign patent rights are typically not enforceable in the United States
• Clearly identify all parties:  Include the names, addresses, and relationship of the assignor(s) and assignee
• Clearly identify the patent being assigned:  State the patent or patent application number, title, inventors, and filing date
• Be signed by the assignors
• Be notarized : If notarization isn’t possible, have one or two witnesses attest to the signatures

Recording a Patent Assignment With the USPTO

Without a recorded assignment with the U.S. patent office, someone else could claim ownership of the issued patent, and you could even lose your rights in the issued patent in some cases. 

So the patent owner (the Assignee) should should record the assignment through the  USPTO’s Assignment Recordation Branch . They can use the  Electronic Patent Assignment System (EPAS)  to file a  Recordation Cover Sheet  along with a copy of the actual patent assignment agreement.

They should submit this paperwork  within three months  of the assignment’s date. If it’s recorded electronically, the USPTO  won’t charge a recordation fee .

Need to check who owns a patent?  The USPTO website  publicly lists all information about a patent’s current and previous assignments.

When Would I Need to Execute a New Assignment for a Related Application?

You’ll need only one patent assignment per patent application, unless new matter is introduced in a new filing (e.g., in a  continuation-in-part , or in a non-provisional application that adds new matter to a  provisional application ). In that case, you’ll need an additional assignment to cover the new matter — even if it was developed by the same inventors.

What If an Investor Won’t Sign the Written Assignment?

If you can’t get an inventor to sign an invention assignment, you can still move forward with a patent application — but you’ll need to document your ownership. To document ownership, you can often rely on an   employee agreement ,  company policy ,  invention disclosure , or other employment-related documentation.

D o I Need to Record My Assignments in Foreign Countries?

Most assignments transfer all rights, title, and interest in all patent rights throughout the world.

But in some countries, the assignment might not be legally effective until the assignment has been recorded in that country — meaning that the assignee can’t enforce the patent rights, or claim damages for any infringement that takes place before the recordation. 

And there might be additional formal requirements that aren’t typically required in the United States. For example, some countries might require a transfer between companies to be signed by both parties, and must contain one or both parties’ addresses.

If you’re assigning patents issued by a foreign country, consult a patent attorney in that country to find out what’s required to properly document the transfer of ownership.

N eed Help With Your Patent Assignments?

Crafting robust assignment agreements is essential to ensuring the proper transfer of patent ownership. An  experienced patent professional  can help you to prepare legally enforceable documentation.

Henry Patent Law Firm has worked with tech businesses of all sizes to execute patent assignments —  contact us now  to learn more.

GOT A QUESTION? Whether you want to know more about the patent process or think we might be a good fit for your needs – we’d love to hear from you!

Michael K. Henry, Ph.D.

Michael K. Henry, Ph.D., is a principal and the firm’s founding member. He specializes in creating comprehensive, growth-oriented IP strategies for early-stage tech companies.

10 Jan 2024

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Corrective Assignment: Everything You Need to Know

A corrective assignment is a way to rectify an error in a recorded document. 3 min read updated on February 01, 2023

A corrective assignment is a way to rectify an error in a recorded document. The Assignment Division will make the changes if an acceptable corrective document is turned in. Policies related to the recording of assignment documents are designed to maintain the history of any claimed interests in property.

For that reason, recorded assignment documents are not expunged, even if they are later determined to be invalid. See In re Ratny, 24 USPQ2d 1713 (Comm'r Pat. 1992) for more information. Once a document is recorded, the Assignment Services Division will not remove information from the record. See MPEP § 323.01(d) for specifics.

What Are the Components of a Corrective Assignment?

• The corrective document needs to include a copy of the original assignment paperwork with the requested changes noted.
• The party who wishes to convey the interest needs to initial the corrections and date them.
• A Recordation Form Cover Sheet (form PTO-1595) must accompany the corrective document. Refer to MPEP § 302.07 for more information. The new cover sheet should be clearly marked as a corrective document submission and refer to the reel and frame number of the recorded document that needs correcting.
• When the corrective document is recorded, it gets a new reel and frame number along with the date of recording.
• The original cover sheet should be included in the packet.
• The fee for this service is listed in 37 CFR 1.21(h). This recording fee must be paid for each application and each patent being corrected. Refer to MPEP § 302.06 for more information.
• You can make corrections to the original by marking out an application or patent number if you are completing a name change or merger. See MPEP § 314 for more information.

Correcting Assignment Cover Sheets at the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Sometimes the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) makes mistakes. Practitioners also make errors occasionally. While both sides strive for perfection, in reality, mistakes will happen. The USPTO recognizes this and provides processes and policies to fix issues like typographical errors and other clerical errors at different points in the process.

For some examples, refer to 37 CFR 1.76(c) Correction of ADS, PCT Rule 91.1 Rectification of Obvious Mistakes, 37 CFR 1.121(b) Amendments to Specification, 37 CFR 1.323 Certificate of Correction of Applicant's Mistake, and 37 CFR 3.34 Correction of Cover Sheet Errors.

Usually, these processes are sufficient. However, if a correction needs to be made on an assignment cover page, the MPEP instructions on how the USPTO should handle them appear to conflict with the way the Assignment Branch processes them. The MPEP 323.01(a); 37 CFR 3.34 lists the requirements to correct a cover sheet as:

• A copy of the original recorded document.
• A cover sheet that reflects the corrections.
• Payment for the fees.

You can file such a request by mail as described in MPEP 302.08 or by fax as described in MPEP 302.09. To use EPAS to file electronically, the MPEP instructions say to mark the box labeled "Other" under "Nature of Conveyance" and then fill in the reel and frame information and describe the correction.

Though this seems simple enough, what actually happens in practice is quite different. The USPTO Assignment Branch sometime rejects requests to correct Notices of Recordation of Assignment (NORA) without explanation. This happens whether the request was submitted via mail, fax, or electronically.

One possible explanation is an EPAS-centered process that makes the MPEP process impractical. The only way to fix a NORA cover page is by filing an application for a corrective assignment. This is different than choosing "Other."

This happens even though the EPAS is made just for requests such as this. Despite that, it cannot process a task so routine that it has a dedicated section in the MPEP. A simple solution would be a separate selection under "Nature of Conveyance" labeled "Correction to Cover Sheet." A text box could hold the necessary information.

This could help users see the option immediately and remove any vagueness in the rules or the processing of the requests. Also, the Assignment Branch should allow requests via mail and fax since these are specifically offered in the MPEP.

If you need help with a corrective assignment, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

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Content Approved by UpCounsel

• MPEP Intended Uses
• Trademark Assignment Recordation
• USPTO Trademark Assignment: Everything You Need To Know
• Patent Assignment
• Assignment Law
• Assignment Legal Definition
• Legal Assignment
• Patent Assignment Database
• Assignment Of Contracts
• What is an Assignment and Assumption Agreement

Legal Compliance in Patent Assignments

Legal compliance in patent assignments is paramount to validate and safeguard the enforceability of patent rights, preventing fraud, misrepresentation, and concealment. Disclosure obligations require parties to provide accurate and complete information about the patent rights being transferred, consideration exchanged, and any limitations or restrictions. Failure to comply can lead to severe consequences, including invalidation of the patent assignment. A well-drafted assignment agreement, proper recording and filing with relevant authorities, and adherence to jurisdictional formalities are indispensable. To gain a thorough understanding of the complex legal landscape, it is imperative to examine the intricacies of patent assignment compliance in further detail.

Table of Contents

Understanding Disclosure Obligations

All parties involved in patent assignments have a legal duty to disclose certain information to guarantee transparency and prevent fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment. This obligation is embedded in the regulatory framework governing patent assignments, which emphasizes public transparency as a cornerstone of the intellectual property system. The disclosure requirements are designed to ensure that all stakeholders, including inventors, assignors, and assignees, have access to accurate and complete information about the patent assignment. This includes details about the patent rights being transferred, the consideration exchanged, and any limitations or restrictions on the assignment. Failure to comply with these disclosure obligations can have severe consequences, including the invalidation of the patent assignment or legal liability for fraudulent conduct. As such, it is essential for parties involved in patent assignments to understand their disclosure obligations and ensure that they comply with the regulatory framework to maintain the integrity of the patent system.

Documenting Patent Assignments Properly

To guarantee legal compliance in patent assignments, it is imperative to properly document the assignment of patent rights. A well-prepared assignment agreement must include necessary elements, such as clear identification of the parties involved, a detailed description of the patent rights being assigned, and the terms and conditions of the assignment. Accurate recording of the assignment is also necessary to provide public notice of the change in patent ownership.

Assignment Agreement Essentials

A meticulous assignment agreement, thoroughly drafted to accurately reflect the parties' intent, is vital for documenting patent assignments properly. This agreement serves as a binding contract between the assignor and assignee, outlining the terms and conditions of the patent assignment.

When drafting an assignment agreement, it is imperative to include fundamental elements such as the parties' identities, patent details, and the consideration exchanged. Additionally, the agreement should specify the term length, which defines the duration of the assignment, and exclusivity, which determines whether the assignment is exclusive or non-exclusive. The term length and exclusivity provisions have significant implications on the patent's ownership and exploitation. A well-crafted assignment agreement must also address issues related to representations, warranties, and indemnification to allocate risks between the parties. By incorporating these vital elements, the assignment agreement provides a solid foundation for a legally binding and enforceable patent assignment.

Recording the Assignment

Once a patent assignment agreement is executed, the parties must record the assignment with the relevant authorities to perfect the transfer of patent rights and provide public notice of the change in ownership. In the United States, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the primary authority responsible for recording patent assignments. To record an assignment, the parties must submit a completed Recordation Cover Sheet, a copy of the assignment agreement, and the required fee to the USPTO.

The USPTO offers Electronic Filing for recording patent assignments, which provides a convenient and efficient way to submit the required documents. After submission, the assignment is reviewed and docketed by the Assignment Docketing Branch, which updates the patent ownership records. It is essential to ensure that the assignment is properly recorded to avoid any potential legal issues or disputes. Failure to record the assignment may result in the transfer of patent rights being deemed invalid or unenforceable. Therefore, it is crucial to comply with the recording requirements to maintain the integrity of the patent ownership records.

Jurisdictional Issues in Patent Law

Patent law's territorial nature raises complex jurisdictional issues, as courts and administrative bodies struggle to assert authority over inventions that transcend national borders. This complexity stems from the fact that patent laws vary across countries, leading to potential conflicts and uncertainties.

In the context of patent assignments, jurisdictional issues can have significant implications. For instance, disputes may arise over which court has jurisdiction to hear a patent infringement case involving a cross-border assignment.

Some key considerations in this regard include:

• Forum shopping: Parties may seek to exploit differences in patent laws and procedures across jurisdictions to their advantage.
• Border disputes: Disputes may arise over the assignment of patents that relate to inventions with transnational implications.
• Jurisdictional conflicts: Different courts or administrative bodies may assert authority over the same patent, leading to conflicting decisions.
• Extraterritorial effects: Patent assignments may have implications that extend beyond the borders of a single country.
• International agreements: Treaties and conventions, such as the Paris Convention, may influence jurisdictional issues in patent law.

Patent Assignment Agreement Essentials

When drafting a patent assignment agreement, it is vital to include indispensable provisions that guarantee a legally binding and enforceable contract. Two critical components of such an agreement are the assignor's representations and warranties, which provide assurances regarding the validity and ownership of the patent, and the assignment document requirements, which outline the formalities necessary for a valid transfer of ownership. By incorporating these elements, parties can minimize the risk of disputes and secure a smooth transfer of patent rights.

Assignor's Representations and Warranties

In a patent assignment agreement, the assignor's representations and warranties are essential provisions that establish the assignor's assurances regarding the ownership, validity, and enforceability of the assigned patent rights. These provisions allocate risk between the assignor and the assignee, providing a level of comfort for the assignee that the patent rights are free from encumbrances and legal defects.

Some common representations and warranties include:

• The assignor has the right to assign the patent rights and has not previously assigned or encumbered them.
• The patent rights are valid, enforceable, and free from defects or challenges.
• The assignor has complied with all applicable laws and regulations related to the patent rights.
• The assignor has not received any notices of infringement or challenges to the patent rights.
• The assignor has full knowledge of the patent rights and has disclosed all relevant information to the assignee.

In the event of a warranty breach, the assignee may have recourse against the assignor for damages or rescission of the assignment agreement. Effective representations and warranties can help mitigate the risk of warranty breach and ensure a smooth transfer of patent rights.

Assignment Document Requirements

A well-drafted patent assignment agreement must incorporate certain key elements to secure a legally binding and effective transfer of patent rights. One such necessary element is the inclusion of entity signatures, which authenticate the agreement and confirm the parties' consent. The assignor and assignee must sign the document, and in the case of corporate entities, the signatures must be made by authorized representatives. Additionally, the document formatting is critical, as it affects the clarity and readability of the agreement. A clear and concise format enables the parties to easily understand their rights and obligations. The document should be divided into sections and subsections, with clear headings and concise language. In addition, the agreement should include a clear description of the patent rights being assigned, the effective date of the assignment, and any applicable governing laws. Proper formatting and inclusion of entity signatures are imperative to validate the enforceability of the patent assignment agreement.

Avoiding Common Compliance Pitfalls

By virtue of their complexity, patent assignments often involve nuanced legal requirements that, if overlooked, can lead to costly compliance issues. Neglecting to address these requirements can lead to invalid or unenforceable assignments, compromising the integrity of the entire patent portfolio. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to implement a robust compliance strategy that incorporates regular Compliance Checklists and thorough Risk Assessments.

Some common compliance pitfalls to avoid in patent assignments include:

• Failure to obtain necessary signatures and acknowledgments
• Inadequate description of the patent rights being assigned
• Insufficient due diligence on the assignor's authority to transfer rights
• Non-compliance with jurisdictional formalities and filing requirements
• Inadequate recordation of assignments with relevant patent offices

Best Practices for Legal Review

Effective legal review of patent assignments necessitates a meticulous examination of the assignment agreement to verify accuracy, completeness, and enforceability. This process is vital in identifying potential risks and guaranteeing that the assignment is legally binding. To achieve this, a thorough review process should be established, involving a multidisciplinary team of legal, technical, and business specialists.

During the review process, the team should scrutinize the assignment agreement to confirm that it accurately reflects the parties' intentions, complies with relevant laws and regulations, and adequately addresses potential risks. This includes verifying the identity and capacity of the parties, certifying the assignment is properly executed, and reviewing the scope of the assignment, including the patents and rights being transferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can patent assignments be oral or must they be in writing?.

In general, patent assignments must be in writing to be valid, as verbal agreements and implicit contracts are insufficient to establish ownership transfer, providing clarity and avoiding potential disputes over patent rights.

What Happens if a Patent Is Assigned to a Non-Existent Entity?

If a patent is assigned to a non-existent entity, the transfer is deemed invalid, as the assignee lacks legal capacity, leading to severe legal implications, including potential patent invalidity and loss of rights.

Do Patent Assignments Require Notarization or Witness Signatures?

In patent assignments, authentication methods such as notarization or witness signatures are not inherently required, but may be necessary to validate signature requirements, confirming the assignment's legal efficacy and preventing potential disputes over authenticity.

Can a Patent Be Assigned to Multiple Parties Simultaneously?

Yes, a patent can be assigned to multiple parties simultaneously, leading to joint ownership, where co-assignees share equal rights and obligations, with each co-assignee having undivided interest in the entire patent.

Are Patent Assignments Publicly Recorded or Kept Confidential?

Patent assignments are typically publicly recorded, granting public access to assignment details, unless confidentiality agreements are in place, which can restrict access to specific information, maintaining secrecy around sensitive intellectual property transactions.

TMEP 503.06: Correction of Errors in Cover Sheet or Recorded Document

October 2017 Edition of the TMEP

TMEP Chapter Index Chapter 500: Change of Ownership 503 : Recording with Assignment Recordation Branch

Previous: §503.05 | Next: §503.06(a)

503.06    Correction of Errors in Cover Sheet or Recorded Document

37 c.f.r. §3.34  correction of cover sheet errors..

• (a) An error in a cover sheet recorded pursuant to §3.11 will be corrected only if:
• (1) The error is apparent when the cover sheet is compared with the recorded document to which it pertains, and
• (2) A corrected cover sheet is filed for recordation.
• (b) The corrected cover sheet must be accompanied by a copy of the document originally submitted for recording and by the recording fee as set forth in §3.41.

Once a document is recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch, the Assignment Recordation Branch will not remove the document from the record relating to that application or registration. See TMEP §503.06(e) .

During the recording process, the Assignment Recordation Branch will check to see that a trademark cover sheet is complete and record the data exactly as it appears on the cover sheet.  Once the document is recorded, the USPTO will issue a notice of recordation.

The party recording the document should carefully review the notice of recordation.

Typographical errors made by the USPTO will be corrected promptly and without charge upon written request directed to the Assignment Recordation Branch.  For any other error, the party recording the document is responsible for filing the documents and paying the recordation fees necessary to correct the error, using the procedures set forth in TMEP §§503.06(a) through 503.06(d) .

In an application under §66(a) of the Trademark Act or a registered extension of protection, any request to correct an error in a document recorded with the IB must be corrected at the IB.  Such a request cannot be sent to the IB through the USPTO.  See TMEP §§1906.01-1906.01(i) for information about requests to record changes in the International Register.

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Recordation Form Cover Sheet Patents Only Form. This is a Official Federal Forms form and can be use in Patent US Patent Office.

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S+B - May 04, 2018

The difference between theoretically and practically: Correcting Assignment Coversheets at the USPTO

This is why the USPTO rules and guidelines provide procedures to correct mistakes, in particular typos and other mistakes of clerical nature at various stages of the prosecution (see, for examples, 37 CFR 1.76(c) Correction of ADS, PCT Rule 91.1 Rectification of Obvious Mistakes, 37 CFR 1.121(b) Amendments to Specification, 37 CFR 1.323 Certificate of Correction of Applicant’s Mistake, and 37 CFR 3.34 Correction of Cover Sheet Errors).

These procedures typically work well unless one has to deal with correction of assignment cover pages. In those situations, a user is faced with an apparent disconnect between how the MPEP instructs that the USPTO handle requests for a correction to an assignment coversheet and how the USPTO Assignment Branch actually handles those requests.

In theory (i.e., MPEP 323.01(a); 37 CFR 3.34), the requirements for correcting a cover sheet are to provide a) a copy of the originally recorded assignment document, b) a corrected cover sheet, and c) the payment of a fee. Also the request can be filed by mail (see MPEP 302.08)   or fax (see MPEP 302.09). If you want to file the correction electronically with EPAS, the MPEP instructs to check the box marked “other” under “nature of conveyance” and fill in reel/frame and the nature of the correction. Simple, right?

In practice, requests for correction of Notices of Recordation of Assignment (NORA) by mail and fax and request filed by EPAS checking the box marked “other” in accordance with the MPEP procedure can be inexplicably rejected by the USPTO Assignment Branch.

It appears from exchanges with the USPTO Assignment Branch Examiners that the main reason is the presence of a  de facto  EPAS-centered procedure at the USPTO Assignment Branch and an EPAS configuration that makes the option indicated by the MPEP impractical.

In particular, it appears that the only practical way to perform the correction of a NORA incorrect due to information of the cover page, is to file the related request as a request for a “corrective assignment”, which is a different option than “other” and refers to a completely different situation (an error in the recorded assignment, see MPEP 323).

This is inexplicable because EPAS is a system that is specifically tailored for Assignment Branch requests, and yet EPAS cannot handle a type of request that is so common that the request has its own MPEP section.

There should be no difficulty in having a separate button under “nature of conveyance” labeled “Correction to Cover Sheet” with text fields for the required information, just like the “Corrective Assignment” button.

This would aid the public in having an evident-on-its-face selection for addressing that specific request and it would aid the Assignment Branch in removing the ambiguity in the rules regarding how they should process such requests.

Regardless, USPTO Assignment Branch’s practice should allow Applicants to file requests by mail and/or fax as these routes are specifically indicated in the MPEP.

If that turned out to be impractical, a modification of the USPTO guidance, rules (MPEP and CFR) and/or practice so that they align and clearly address different situations (such as a correction of a cover page and a correction of an assignment) would also help users and Examiners.

Meanwhile, it seems that the best way to handle these corrections is to communicate with the USPTO Assignment Branch to ensure streamlining of a procedure that should only be a minor bump on the road.

We surely hope to soon see an improved EPAS system for a speedy processing of recordation requests in line with the USPTO rules.

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• Patent Laws, Regulations, Policies & Procedures
• Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
• Chapter 0300
• Section 323

323 Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document [R-08.2012]

An error in a recorded assignment document will be corrected by Assignment Division provided a “corrective document” is submitted. The “corrective document” must include the following:

• (A) A copy of the original assignment document with the corrections made therein. The corrections must be initialed and dated by the party conveying the interest; and
• (B) A new Recordation Form Cover Sheet (form PTO-1595) (See MPEP § 302.07 ).

The new recordation form cover sheet must identify the submission as a “corrective document” submission and indicate the reel and frame number where the incorrectly recorded assignment document appears. The original cover sheet should be submitted with the corrective document. The corrective document will be recorded and given a new reel and frame number and recording date. The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) is required for each patent application and patent against which the corrective document is being recorded. See MPEP § 302.06 .

Corrections may be made on the original assignment document, for example, by lining out an incorrect patent or application number in a merger or change of name (see MPEP § 314 ).

Office policy regarding recordation of assignment documents is directed toward maintaining a complete history of claimed interests in property and, therefore, recorded assignment documents will not be expunged even if subsequently found to be invalid. See In re Ratny, 24 USPQ2d 1713 (Comm’r Pat. 1992). Once a document is recorded with the Assignment Services Division, the Assignment Services Division will not remove the papers from the record relating to that application or patent. See MPEP § 323.01(d) .

323.01 Correction of Error in Recorded Cover Sheet [R-08.2012]

37 cfr 3.34  correction of cover sheet errors..

• (1) The error is apparent when the cover sheet is compared with the recorded document to which it pertains and
• (2) A corrected cover sheet is filed for recordation.
• (b) The corrected cover sheet must be accompanied by a copy of the document originally submitted for recording and by the recording fee as set forth in § 3.41 .

Any alleged error in a recorded cover sheet will only be corrected if the error is apparent from a comparison with the recorded assignment document. The corrected cover sheet should be directed to Assignment Division.

During the recording process, the Assignment Services Division will check to see that a cover sheet is complete and record the data exactly as it appears on the cover sheet. The Assignment Services Division does not compare the cover sheet with the assignment document (or other document affecting title). Once the document is recorded, the Office will issue a notice of recordation.

The party recording the document should carefully review the notice of recordation.

Typographical errors made by the Office will be corrected promptly and without charge upon written request directed to the Assignment Services Division. For any other error, the party recording the document is responsible for filing the papers and paying the recordation fees necessary to correct the error, using the procedures set forth in MPEP §§ 323.01(a) through 323.01(c) .

323.01(a) Typographical Errors in Cover Sheet [R-08.2012]

A party who wishes to correct a typographical error on a recorded cover sheet must submit the following to the Assignment Services Division:

• (A) a copy of the originally recorded assignment document (or other document affecting title);
• (B) a corrected cover sheet; and
• (C) the required fee for each application or patent to be corrected ( 37 CFR 3.41 ).

See 37 CFR 3.34 . The party requesting correction should also submit a copy of the original cover sheet, to facilitate comparison of the corrected cover sheet with the originally recorded document.

The party filing the corrected cover sheet should check the box titled "Other" in the area of the sheet requesting "Nature of Conveyance," and indicate that the submission is to correct an error in a cover sheet previously recorded. The party should also identify the reel and frame numbers (if known), and the nature of the correction (e.g., "correction to the spelling of assignor’s name" or "correction of application number or patent number" ). The Office will then compare the corrected cover sheet with the original cover sheet and the originally recorded assignment document (or other document affecting title) to determine whether the correction is typographical in nature. If the error is typographical in nature, the Assignment Services Division will record the corrected cover sheet and correct the Assignment Historical Database.

If the original cover sheet contains a typographical error that does not affect title to the application or patent against which the original assignment or name change is recorded, the Assignment Services Division will correct the Assignment Historical Database and permit the recording party to keep the original date of recordation.

If the original cover sheet contains a typographical error that affects title to the application or patent against which the assignment or name change is recorded, the recording party will not be entitled to keep the original date of recordation. Rather, the Assignment Services Division will correct its automated records and change the date of recordation to the date the corrected cover sheet was received in the Office.

323.01(b) Typographical Errors in Recorded Assignment Document [R-08.2012]

If there is an error in the recorded assignment document (or other document affecting title) rather than in the cover sheet, the party responsible for an erroneous document (e.g., the assignor) must either create and record a new document or make corrections to the original document and re-record it. If an assignor is not available to correct an original document or execute a new one, the assignee may submit an affidavit or declaration in which the assignee identifies the error and requests correction. The affidavit or declaration must be accompanied by a copy of the originally recorded papers, a cover sheet, and the required fee for each application or patent to be corrected ( 37 CFR 3.41 ). See In re Abacab International Computers Ltd. , 21 USPQ2d 1078 (Comm’r Pat. 1987).

323.01(c) Assignment or Change of Name Improperly Filed and Recorded by Another Person Against Owner’s Application or Patent [R-07.2015]

When the owner of an application or registration discovers that another party has improperly recorded an assignment or name change against the owner’s application or patent, the owner must correct the error by having a corrected cover sheet filed with the Assignment Services Division.

The owner should contact the party who recorded the papers with the erroneous information and request that such party record corrective papers. However, if the party cannot be located or is unwilling to file corrective papers, then the true owner must record the necessary papers with the Assignment Services Division to correct the error.

Specifically, the owner should submit the following to the Assignment Services Division:

• (A) a completed cover sheet identifying the application or patent against which the assignment was improperly recorded;
• (B) an affidavit or declaration (1) identifying itself as the correct owner, (2) stating that the previously recorded document was submitted with erroneous information, and (3) providing the reel and frame number of the previously recorded document; and
• (C) the required fee ( 37 CFR 3.41 ) for each application or patent to be corrected.

The affidavit or declaration should include a summary of the true chain of title to make it clear that the chain of title for the application or patent identified should not be considered altered by the incorrect assignment or name change, and a statement that the original applicant or patentee or last correct assignee has been, and continues to be, the owner of the application, or patent at issue.

On the corrected cover sheet, the owner should check the box titled "Other" in the area of the cover sheet requesting the "Nature of Conveyance," and indicate that the submission is to correct an error made in a previously recorded document that erroneously affects the identified application(s), or patent(s). The party should also write the name of the correct owner in both the box requesting the name of the conveying party and the box requesting the name and address of the receiving party; this is to make it clear that ownership never changed and that any assignment or name change recorded against the application(s) or patent(s) was erroneous.

323.01(d) Expungement of Assignment Records [R-07.2015]

Petitions to correct, modify or "expunge" assignment records are rarely granted and will not result in the removal of a document from the assignment records. Such petitions are granted only if the petitioner can prove that:

• (A) the normal corrective procedures outlined in MPEP § 323.01(a) through § 323.01(c) will not provide the petitioner with adequate relief; and
• (B) the integrity of the assignment records will not be affected by granting the petition.

Assignment records are recognized as distinct from application file records. Even if a petition to "expunge" a document is granted with respect to a particular application or patent, the image of the recorded document will remain in the records of the Assignment Services Division at the same reel and frame number, and the image will appear when someone views that reel and frame number. The Office will, however, delete the links to the application or patent that was the subject of the petition, so that no information about the recorded document will appear when someone searches for that application or patent number in the Assignment Historical Database. A redacted version of the "expunged" document must be recorded and will appear in the assignment records instead of the "expunged" document upon the granting of the petition. An additional assignment of the “correct” document may be recorded in addition to the redacted version where the redacted version is incomplete or the original document was not correct.

• 301.01-Accessibility of Assignment Records
• 302.01-Assignment Document Must Be Copy for Recording
• 302.02-Translation of Assignment Document
• 302.03-Identifying Patent or Application
• 302.04-Foreign Assignee May Designate Domestic Representative
• 302.05-Address of Assignee
• 302.06-Fee for Recording
• 302.07-Assignment Document Must Be Accompanied by a Cover Sheet 
• 302.08-Mailing Address for Submitting Assignment Documents
• 302.09-Facsimile Submission of Assignment Documents
• 302.10-Electronic Submission of Assignment Documents
• 303-Assignment Documents Not Endorsed on Pending Applications
• 304‑305-[Reserved]
• 306.01-Assignment of an Application Claiming the Benefits of a Provisional Application
• 307-Issue to Non-Applicant Assignee
• 308-Issue to Applicant
• 309-Restrictions Upon Employees of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• 310-Government License Rights to Contractor-Owned Inventions Made Under Federally Sponsored Research and Development
• 311-Filing of Notice of Arbitration Awards
• 312-[Reserved]
• 313-Recording of Licenses, Security Interests, and Documents Other Than Assignments
• 314-Certificates of Change of Name or of Merger
• 315-Indexing Against a Recorded Certificate
• 316-[Reserved]
• 317.01-Recording Date
• 317.02-Correction of Unrecorded Returned Documents and Cover Sheets
• 317.03-Effect of Recording
• 318-Documents Not to be Placed in Files
• 319-[Reserved]
• 320-Title Reports
• 321‑322-[Reserved]
• 323.01(a)-Typographical Errors in Cover Sheet
• 323.01(b)-Typographical Errors in Recorded Assignment Document
• 323.01(c)-Assignment or Change of Name Improperly Filed and Recorded by Another Person Against Owner’s Application or Patent
• 323.01(d)-Expungement of Assignment Records
• 324-Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012
• 325-Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012

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This docket was last retrieved on July 2, 2024. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.

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