Can a patent attorney update the correspondence address for a patent owner?

Can a patent attorney update the correspondence address for a patent owner?

Yes, a patent attorney can update the correspondence address for a patent owner, but there are specific requirements to follow. According to MPEP 2805:

“A patent owner’s change of address may be filed with the USPTO through the Office of Patent Legal Administration (OPLA). The change of address should be signed by the patent owner, or the patent owner’s attorney or agent of record, and directed to the Office of Patent Legal Administration, USPTO, Mail Stop Patent Exp. Assistance, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.”

Key points for attorneys updating addresses:

• The attorney must be the “attorney of record” for the patent
• The change request should be signed by either the patent owner or the attorney of record
• Submit the change to the Office of Patent Legal Administration
• Use the appropriate Change of Correspondence Address Form (PTO/AIA/122 or PTO/SB/122) based on the patent’s filing date

Attorneys should ensure they have proper authorization from the patent owner before making any changes to the correspondence address.

To learn more:

• patent attorney
• correspondence address update
• USPTO procedures
• patent owner representation