MPEP § 306 — Assignment of Division, Continuation, Substitute, and Continuation-in-Part in Relation to Parent Application (Annotated Rules)

§306 Assignment of Division, Continuation, Substitute, and Continuation-in-Part in Relation to Parent Application

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 306, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Assignment of Division, Continuation, Substitute, and Continuation-in-Part in Relation to Parent Application

This section addresses Assignment of Division, Continuation, Substitute, and Continuation-in-Part in Relation to Parent Application. Primary authority: 37 CFR 3.28, 37 CFR 3.41), and 37 CFR 3.41. Contains: 1 requirement and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Title Reports (MPEP 320)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-306-4407b7fcd9fa0819fe2505a0]
Prior Assignment Applied to Division
Note:
A prior assignment recorded against an original application is applied to a divisional application, giving the assignee rights to the common subject matter.

In the case of a division or continuation application, a prior assignment recorded against the original application is applied (effective) to the division or continuation application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to the subject matter common to both applications. Although the assignment recorded against an original application is applied to the division or continuation application, the Office’s assignment records will only reflect an assignment of a division or continuation application (or any other application) if a request for recordation in compliance with 37 CFR 3.28, accompanied by the required fee (37 CFR 3.41), is filed.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 3.28Title Reports (MPEP 320)Assignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)Fee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-306-829287bb5651a39ea28b6d7a]
Record Assignment of Divisional Application
Note:
A request for recordation in compliance with 37 CFR 3.28, accompanied by the required fee (37 CFR 3.41), is necessary to reflect an assignment of a division or continuation application.

In the case of a division or continuation application, a prior assignment recorded against the original application is applied (effective) to the division or continuation application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to the subject matter common to both applications. Although the assignment recorded against an original application is applied to the division or continuation application, the Office’s assignment records will only reflect an assignment of a division or continuation application (or any other application) if a request for recordation in compliance with 37 CFR 3.28, accompanied by the required fee (37 CFR 3.41), is filed.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 3.28Title Reports (MPEP 320)Assignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)Fee Requirements
Topic

Assignee as Applicant Signature

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-306-8e3da3008b2a8947b1405cad]
New Assignment Required for Substitute/Continuation Applications
Note:
A new assignment must be recorded for substitute or continuation-in-part applications, unless filed after September 16, 2012, and the assignee is the original applicant.

In the case of a substitute or continuation-in-part application, a prior assignment of the original application is not applied (effective) to the substitute or continuation-in-part application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to only the subject matter common to both applications. Substitute or continuation-in-part applications require the recordation of a new assignment if they are to be issued to an assignee, unless the substitute or continuation-in-part application is filed on or after September 16, 2012, and the assignee is the original applicant therein. See 37 CFR 3.81. See also MPEP §§ 307 and 308.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 3.81Assignee as Applicant SignatureTitle Reports (MPEP 320)AIA Effective Dates
Topic

AIA Effective Dates

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-306-1e88d2f287d2eca0d12a966f]
New Assignment Required for Substitute or Continuation-in-Part After September 16, 2012
Note:
A new assignment must be recorded if a substitute or continuation-in-part application is to be issued to an assignee after September 16, 2012, unless the assignee is the original applicant.

In the case of a substitute or continuation-in-part application, a prior assignment of the original application is not applied (effective) to the substitute or continuation-in-part application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to only the subject matter common to both applications. Substitute or continuation-in-part applications require the recordation of a new assignment if they are to be issued to an assignee, unless the substitute or continuation-in-part application is filed on or after September 16, 2012, and the assignee is the original applicant therein. See 37 CFR 3.81. See also MPEP §§ 307 and 308.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 3.81AIA Effective DatesAssignee as Applicant SignatureAIA Overview and Effective Dates

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Title Reports (MPEP 320)37 CFR § 3.28
Title Reports (MPEP 320)37 CFR § 3.41
AIA Effective Dates
Assignee as Applicant Signature
37 CFR § 3.81
AIA Effective Dates
Assignee as Applicant Signature
MPEP § 307

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31