What happens if an attorney or agent withdraws from representation in a patent application?

What happens if an attorney or agent withdraws from representation in a patent application?

When an attorney or agent withdraws from representation in a patent application, the following occurs:

• The USPTO will correspond directly with the applicant until a new Power of Attorney or address change is filed.
• The withdrawal is effective when approved by the Office, not when received.
• The Office may require the applicant or assignee to revoke the previous Power of Attorney and appoint a new representative.

As stated in MPEP 402.06: ‘In the event the power of attorney is withdrawn, the Office will communicate directly with the applicant… until a new registered attorney or agent is appointed.’

To learn more:

• attorney withdrawal
• patent application
• USPTO correspondence

To learn more:

• USPTO communication
• applicant representation