What are the requirements for recording a joint research agreement with the USPTO?

Joint research agreements can be recorded with the USPTO as per 37 CFR 3.11(c). The MPEP states that the cover sheet for a joint research agreement must:

• Identify the document as a ‘joint research agreement’ in the description of interest conveyed
• Indicate the name of the owner of the application or patent
• Indicate the name of each other party to the joint research agreement
• Indicate the date the joint research agreement was executed

The document submitted can be either the entire joint research agreement or an excerpt of it. As with other recorded documents, it must be accompanied by a completed cover sheet as specified in 37 CFR 3.28 and 3.31.

Remember that A patent cover sheet may not refer to trademark applications or registrations. Separate cover sheets must be used for patents and trademarks.

For more information on joint research agreement, visit: joint research agreement.

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

For more information on recordation, visit: recordation.