Who can grant access to inspect a pending or abandoned patent application filed on or after September 16, 2012?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the following parties can provide written authority to grant access to inspect a pending or abandoned application kept in confidence under 35 U.S.C. 122(a) , except as provided in 37 CFR 1.11 , 1.14 , 41.6 , or 42.412 : The applicant A patent practitioner of record The assignee or an assignee of an undivided part interest The inventor or a joint inventor Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Access to Patent Applications and Records Must Be Controlled MPEP 104 Required Written Authority Required for Access to Abandoned Patents MPEP 104 Permitted Written Authority for Access to Confidential Application Required MPEP 104 Required Permission for Competitors to Inspect Application MPEP 104 Permitted Access to Application Files Restricted MPEP 104 Permitted Patent Practitioner Must File Power of Attorney MPEP 104 Access to Firm's Patent Applications for Registered Members with Signatory Power MPEP 104 Required Patent Practitioner Must Be Named for Power of Inspection MPEP 104 Permitted Power to Inspect Ceases After Filing Power of Attorney MPEP 104 Power to inspect must name specific person MPEP 104 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How can a registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity grant access to inspect a patent application? Are powers to inspect accepted in Image File Wrapper (IFW) patent applications? How is access to provisional patent applications handled? Can the Director of the USPTO grant access to a patent application? How is access to patent applications granted to unregistered individuals?