What is the purpose of recording patent assignment documents?

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.

Recording patent assignment documents serves several important purposes:

• Providing notice to the public of the assignment
• Creating a public record of the assignment
• Protecting against subsequent purchasers without notice
• Establishing priority of ownership rights

According to MPEP 302, ‘The recording of an assignment document in the USPTO is not a determination of the validity of the document or the effect that document has on the title to an application, a patent, or a registration.’ It merely serves as a public notice and record of the transaction.

For more information on patent assignment, visit: patent assignment.

For more information on recording documents, visit: recording documents.