What happens to pending patent applications when a practitioner is suspended or excluded?

What happens to pending patent applications when a practitioner is suspended or excluded?

When a patent practitioner is suspended or excluded, the Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) Director must review all pending patent applications to determine if immediate action is necessary. According to MPEP 407:

“The OED Director will review all pending applications, in which the suspended or excluded practitioner is the attorney or agent of record, and notify the applicant of the suspension or exclusion and of the limited recognition of the practitioner.”

This process ensures that applicants are aware of their practitioner’s status and can take appropriate action to protect their patent applications.

For more information on pending applications, visit: pending applications.