Can a patent be issued to a deceased inventor?

Yes, a patent can be issued to a deceased inventor. The MPEP 308 states:

‘A patent may be issued to the legal representative (executor, administrator, etc.) of a deceased inventor.’

In such cases, the patent is issued to the legal representative acting on behalf of the deceased inventor’s estate. This ensures that the inventor’s rights and the value of their invention are preserved even after their death.

For more information on legal representative, visit: legal representative.

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