This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
According to MPEP 203.08, information about a patent application’s status can be provided to:
- The applicant
- The applicant’s assignee
- The attorney or agent of record
- Anyone with written authority from one of the above
The MPEP states: “Status information which may be given includes information as to whether the application has been filed, whether the application is awaiting action by the examiner, as well as other matters which do not involve the disclosure of confidential information.”
It’s important to note that the USPTO is prohibited from disclosing certain information to unauthorized parties, such as the date of filing, names of inventors, or specific details about the prosecution of the application.