Who can represent applicants in international patent applications?

According to MPEP 1807, applicants of international applications can be represented by:

• Attorneys or agents registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• An applicant appointed as a common representative

The MPEP states: “Applicants of international applications may be represented by attorneys or agents registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office or by an applicant appointed as a common representative” (37 CFR 1.455(a)).

If no representative is appointed and there are multiple applicants, the first named applicant who is entitled to file with the U.S. Receiving Office is considered the common representative.

To learn more:

• international patent applications
• patent representation
• PCT applications
• common representative