How does the appointment of a common representative affect existing appointments in a PCT application?

The appointment of a common representative in a PCT application has specific effects on existing appointments:

  • It automatically revokes any earlier appointment of a common representative, unless otherwise indicated.
  • This revocation is immediate upon the new appointment being made.

According to MPEP 1808:

“The appointment of a common representative similarly has the effect, unless otherwise indicated, of revoking any earlier appointment of a common representative.”

This automatic revocation ensures that there is always a single, clear common representative for the application. If applicants wish to maintain multiple representatives, they must explicitly indicate this when making the new appointment.

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Tags: appointment effects, Common Representative, international application, PCT