Can a person sign patent documents on behalf of a juristic entity?

Question

Accepted Answer

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. Yes, a person can sign patent documents on behalf of a juristic entity, but there are specific requirements: According to MPEP 402.03 : ‘Papers submitted on behalf of juristic entities must be signed by a person having authority to sign for the juristic entity.’ This means: The signer must have the legal authority to act on behalf of the entity. For corporations, this typically includes officers or agents appointed by the board. For partnerships, a partner may sign. For universities, an authorized official may sign. It’s crucial to ensure the signer has proper authorization to avoid potential issues with the patent application. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Attorney or Agent Representation Required for International Applications MPEP 402.09 Permitted Attorney Must Be Authorized for Type of Patent Matter MPEP 402 Required Patent Practitioner Registration Requirement MPEP 402 Permitted Patent Attorney or Agent Required for Design Patents MPEP 402 Permitted Attorney or Agent May Only Act as Design Patent Practitioner MPEP 402 Permitted Patent Practitioner or Joint Inventor Can Give Power of Attorney MPEP 402 Permitted Joint Inventor Can Grant POA to Non-Practitioner MPEP 402 More Than Ten Practitioners Requires Customer Number Or Separate Paper MPEP 402 Refiling Power of Attorney When More Than Ten Practitioners Named MPEP 402 Recommended Powers of Attorney for Customer Number Practitioners MPEP 402 Permitted Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What are the requirements for S-signatures in USPTO patent applications? What are the S-signature requirements for patent applications? Can a legal representative sign patent documents on behalf of the inven...