Can an agent sign an international patent application?
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Yes, an agent can sign an international patent application. According to MPEP 1820:
“The international application may be signed by an agent.”
However, there are specific requirements for patent practitioners acting as agents:
“Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.34, a patent practitioner acting in a representative capacity must set forth his or her registration number on submitted papers.”
It’s also worth noting that the requirement for a separate power of attorney may be waived in some cases:
“The United States Receiving Office will, in most cases, waive the requirement for a separate power of attorney. See MPEP § 1807.”