MPEP § 1864.04 — Agent’s Right To Act (Annotated Rules)

§1864.04 Agent’s Right To Act

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1864.04, 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.

Agent’s Right To Act

This section addresses Agent’s Right To Act. Contains: 1 guidance statement and 2 permissions.

Key Rules

Topic

Receiving Office (RO/US)

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1864-04-d6c3a07def588b5e62d5119c]
Agents Can Represent Applicants Before International Authorities
Note:
PCT Article 49 permits agents who can practice before the receiving office to represent applicants in international proceedings.

Any agent entitled to practice before the receiving Office where the international application was filed may represent the applicant before the international authorities (PCT Article 49).

Jump to MPEP SourceReceiving Office (RO/US)PCT International Application FilingPatent Cooperation Treaty
Topic

International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1864-04-c7e889031d909268051d524b]
Consult USPTO Roster for Attorney/Agent Practice Rights
Note:
Examiners must consult the USPTO roster to verify an attorney or agent's right to practice before the International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) if any issues arise.

If for any reason, the examiner needs to question the right of an attorney or agent to practice before the International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), the USPTO roster of registered attorneys and agents should be consulted. If the international application was filed with a receiving Office other than the United States, Form PCT/IPEA/410 may be used by the requesting IPEA to ask the receiving Office with which the international application was filed, whether the agent named in the international application has the right to practice before that Office.

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)Signature RequirementsInternational Preliminary Examination (Chapter II)
Topic

Nationals and Residents

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1864-04-0f90883c677bef9c19c5ca3f]
Request for Agent Practice Right Verification
Note:
Allows the requesting IPEA to ask the receiving Office if an agent named in a non-US filed international application has the right to practice before that Office.

If for any reason, the examiner needs to question the right of an attorney or agent to practice before the International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), the USPTO roster of registered attorneys and agents should be consulted. If the international application was filed with a receiving Office other than the United States, Form PCT/IPEA/410 may be used by the requesting IPEA to ask the receiving Office with which the international application was filed, whether the agent named in the international application has the right to practice before that Office.

Jump to MPEP SourceNationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)
Topic

Patent Cooperation Treaty

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1864-04-ae8638bc34a54af1d9bf71b1]
Right To Practice Under PCT
Note:
This rule outlines the requirements for practicing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, specifically governed by PCT Article 49 and Rule 83.

The PCT Article and Regulations governing the right to practice are PCT Article 49 and PCT Rule 83.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Cooperation Treaty

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Receiving Office (RO/US)
PCT Article 49
Patent Cooperation TreatyPCT Rule 83

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