What types of evidence can be used to establish assignee ownership in pre-AIA applications?

What types of evidence can be used to establish assignee ownership in pre-AIA applications?

For pre-AIA applications (filed before September 16, 2012), assignees can use various types of evidence to establish ownership, including:

• Assignment documents
• Corporate merger documentation
• Patent purchase agreements
• Court orders
• Joint research agreements

The MPEP 324 states: “The submission establishing ownership must show that the person signing the submission is a person authorized to act on behalf of the assignee.” This means that in addition to proving ownership, the assignee must also demonstrate the authority of the person acting on their behalf.

For more information on assignee ownership, visit: assignee ownership.

For more information on pre-AIA, visit: pre-AIA.

For more information on USPTO procedures, visit: USPTO procedures.