MPEP § 402.05(b) — Applicant Revocation – Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 (Annotated Rules)

§402.05(b) Applicant Revocation – Application Filed Before September 16, 2012

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 402.05(b), 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.

Applicant Revocation – Application Filed Before September 16, 2012

This section addresses Applicant Revocation – Application Filed Before September 16, 2012. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.36, 37 CFR 1.47, and 37 CFR 1.63. Contains: 1 prohibition, 1 permission, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Assignee as Applicant Signature

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-fc4cf4d8eee12e65521e04c4]
Revocation of Power of Attorney by Applicant or Assignee
Note:
A power of attorney can be revoked at any stage in proceedings by the applicant, assignee, or patent owner.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Assignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAPower of Attorney by Assignee
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-037f9cfe11c0dd3cc971b2ec]
Partial Revocation Requires Sufficient Cause and Fee Payment
Note:
Patent applicants or assignees must show sufficient cause and pay a fee to revoke a power of attorney partially.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Assignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAProcessing Fees
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-ee524609bca917fb7e58e880]
Assignee Can Revoke Previous Powers of Attorney
Note:
An assignee of the entire interest can revoke previous powers of attorney and grant new ones as specified.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Assignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAPower of Attorney by Assignee
Topic

POA via Customer Number

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-886a7de2eff6b1c9c63d792f]
Revocation of Previous Powers of Attorney When New Ones Given Via Customer Number
Note:
A new power of attorney to patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will revoke any previous powers of attorney given.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)POA via Customer NumberCustomer Number PracticePower of Attorney Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-fb673e03e23850d032aa87b9]
Notification for Customer Number POA Revocation
Note:
Patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number must be notified when the power of attorney to all practitioners under that number is revoked.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)POA via Customer NumberCustomer Number PracticePower of Attorney Requirements
Topic

Power of Attorney Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-a8e059441c6e2d0c5cd922fb]
Patent Practitioner Notified Upon Power of Attorney Revocation
Note:
A patent practitioner will be informed when a power of attorney is revoked by an applicant or assignee.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Power of Attorney RequirementsPower of AttorneyPractitioner Recognition and Conduct
Topic

Correspondence Address Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-3ed4c38fd8ae94ad5e8a6c50]
Notice of Revocation Mailed to Application Address
Note:
The notice of revocation will be sent to the current correspondence address for the application before the revocation is effective.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by an applicant for patent (§ 1.41(b)) or an assignee of the entire interest of the applicant, or the owner of the entire interest of a patent. A power of attorney to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number will be treated as a request to revoke any powers of attorney previously given. Fewer than all of the applicants (or fewer than all of the assignees of the entire interest of the applicant or, in a reexamination proceeding, fewer than all the owners of the entire interest of a patent) may revoke the power of attorney only upon a showing of sufficient cause, and payment of the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(f). A patent practitioner will be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney. Where power of attorney is given to the patent practitioners associated with a Customer Number (§ 1.32(c)(2)), the practitioners so appointed will also be notified of the revocation of the power of attorney when the power of attorney to all of the practitioners associated with the Customer Number is revoked. The notice of revocation will be mailed to the correspondence address for the application (§ 1.33) in effect before the revocation. An assignment will not of itself operate as a revocation of a power previously given, but the assignee of the entire interest of the applicant may revoke previous powers of attorney and give another power of attorney of the assignee’s own selection as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
Topic

Power of Attorney by Assignee

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-0791eac77528830b7696a1ca]
Revocation of Power of Attorney by Assignee
Note:
MPEP § 402.07 outlines the process for an assignee to revoke a power of attorney in applications filed before September 16, 2012.

See MPEP § 402.07 for revocation of a power attorney by the assignee. Form PTO/SB/81 may be used to revoke a power of attorney in an application filed before September 16, 2012. See also MPEP § 402.02(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.36Power of Attorney by AssigneeRegistration Number on SignatureAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Topic

AIA Effective Dates

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-53c0050a973bf5e88f75d266]
Revocation of Power of Attorney Before September 16, 2012
Note:
Form PTO/SB/81 can be used to revoke a power of attorney in applications filed before September 16, 2012.

See MPEP § 402.07 for revocation of a power attorney by the assignee. Form PTO/SB/81 may be used to revoke a power of attorney in an application filed before September 16, 2012. See also MPEP § 402.02(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.36AIA Effective DatesPOA Form RequirementsAIA Overview and Effective Dates
Topic

Registration Number on Signature

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-d6922b5abf491424d366fd28]
Inventor Added Without Matching Power of Attorney Loses Representation
Note:
If an added inventor does not provide a matching power of attorney, their addition results in the loss of representation.

If the power of attorney was granted by the originally named inventive entity and an added inventor pursuant to § 1.48 does not provide a power of attorney consistent with the power of attorney granted by the originally named inventive entity, the addition of the inventor results in the loss of that power of attorney upon grant of the § 1.48 request. This provision does not preclude a practitioner from acting pursuant to 37 CFR 1.34, if applicable. See MPEP § 402.04 for information pertaining to acting in a representative capacity.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.48Registration Number on SignaturePractitioner Recognition and ConductPower of Attorney Requirements
Topic

Practitioner Recognition and Conduct

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-0cf5a3a3a20e483496519a93]
Practitioner Can Act Under 37 CFR 1.34
Note:
This provision allows a practitioner to act under 37 CFR 1.34 even if the power of attorney is lost due to an added inventor not providing a consistent one.

If the power of attorney was granted by the originally named inventive entity and an added inventor pursuant to § 1.48 does not provide a power of attorney consistent with the power of attorney granted by the originally named inventive entity, the addition of the inventor results in the loss of that power of attorney upon grant of the § 1.48 request. This provision does not preclude a practitioner from acting pursuant to 37 CFR 1.34, if applicable. See MPEP § 402.04 for information pertaining to acting in a representative capacity.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.48Practitioner Recognition and ConductRegistration Number on SignatureRevocation of Power of Attorney
Topic

AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)

1 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-402-05-b-cd131d468af180f5d3392470]
Nonsigning Inventor Cannot Revoke Power of Attorney Without Pre-AIA Applicant's Consent
Note:
A nonsigning inventor who joins an application cannot revoke or grant a power of attorney without the pre-AIA applicant's agreement.

A nonsigning inventor may subsequently join in a pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 application by submitting an oath or declaration under pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.63. However, even if the nonsigning inventor joins in the application, he or she cannot revoke or give a power of attorney without agreement of the pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 applicant.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.47AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)Pre-AIA Oath/Declaration RequirementsAssignee as Applicant Signature

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
37 CFR § 1.17(f)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
37 CFR § 1.32(b)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
37 CFR § 1.32(c)(2)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
37 CFR § 1.33
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
37 CFR § 1.34
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
37 CFR § 1.41(b)
AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)37 CFR § 1.47
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
37 CFR § 1.48
AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)37 CFR § 1.63
AIA Effective Dates
Power of Attorney by Assignee
MPEP § 402.02(b)
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
MPEP § 402.04
AIA Effective Dates
Power of Attorney by Assignee
MPEP § 402.07

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