MPEP § 402.05(a) — Applicant Revocation – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 (Annotated Rules)

§402.05(a) Applicant Revocation – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 402.05(a), 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 On or After September 16, 2012

This section addresses Applicant Revocation – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.46(c), 37 CFR 3.71, and 37 CFR 1.36. Contains: 3 permissions.

Key Rules

Topic

Power of Attorney by Assignee

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-47693d4b2976c25998c4c6fc]
Revocation of Power of Attorney at Any Stage
Note:
A power of attorney can be revoked by the applicant or patent owner at any stage in a case proceedings. Fewer than all applicants must show sufficient cause and pay a fee.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Power of Attorney by AssigneePower of Attorney RequirementsPower of Attorney
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-020b2aaf54140754c71141fd]
Assignee Can Revoke Power of Attorney
Note:
An assignee may revoke a previous power of attorney and grant a new one, but an assignment alone does not automatically revoke the original power.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Power of Attorney by AssigneePower of Attorney RequirementsPower of Attorney
Topic

POA via Customer Number

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-317fb2ff1a937da16cf6c44c]
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 the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney 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-a-db6eb61a914fb2eb79ddb3fc]
Notification of Power of Attorney Revocation for Customer Number Practitioners
Note:
When the power of attorney to all practitioners associated with a customer number is revoked, those practitioners must also be notified.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney 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

Registration Number on Signature

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-ace75ac16fbbb5b3b1329e8d]
Inventor Addition Requires Matching Power of Attorney
Note:
An added inventor must provide a power of attorney consistent with the original grant; failure results in loss of that power of attorney.

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
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-4592d3a1ff1e9d06bab9dcfc]
Nonsigning Inventor Can Join Application but Not Revoke Power of Attorney
Note:
A nonsigning inventor can join an application by submitting an oath or declaration, but cannot revoke or grant a power of attorney after filing under specific conditions.

A nonsigning inventor or legal representative may subsequently join in the application by submitting an oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63. However, 37 CFR 1.64(f) provides that the submission of an oath or declaration by a nonsigning inventor or legal representative in an application filed under 37 CFR 1.43, 1.45 or 1.46 will not permit the nonsigning inventor or legal representative to revoke or grant a power of attorney.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.63Registration Number on SignaturePractitioner Recognition and ConductPower of Attorney Requirements
Topic

Processing Fees

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-c16f1ad74a9fb56d87411051]
Patent Applicants Must Show Cause to Revoke Power of Attorney
Note:
Patent applicants must demonstrate sufficient cause and pay a fee to revoke the power of attorney for fewer than all applicants in an examination or reexamination proceeding.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney as provided in § 1.32(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.32(b)Processing FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsPower of Attorney Requirements
Topic

Power of Attorney Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-207e9776e7b59208dca0b9d3]
Patent Practitioner Notified Upon Power of Attorney Revocation
Note:
A patent practitioner will be informed when a power of attorney is revoked by the applicant or patent owner, ensuring timely communication.

(a) A power of attorney, pursuant to § 1.32(b), may be revoked at any stage in the proceedings of a case by the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney 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-a-a5a2e4b7228f88cbe6e86357]
Notice of Revocation Mailed to Correspondence Address
Note:
The notice of revocation will be mailed 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 the applicant or patent owner. 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 patent owners in a supplemental examination or reexamination proceeding) 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 may become the applicant under § 1.46(c) and revoke any previous power of attorney and grant a power of attorney as provided in § 1.32(b).

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

Assignee as Applicant Signature

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-4b2aef1c4180f4b043ceb33b]
Revocation by Applicant Only
Note:
A power of attorney can only be revoked by the applicant or patent owner, not an assignee unless they become the applicant.

A power of attorney may be revoked only by the applicant or patent owner. An assignee who is not the applicant may revoke a power of attorney only if the assignee becomes the applicant per 37 CFR 1.46(c) (which requires compliance with 37 CFR 3.71 and 3.73).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(c)Assignee as Applicant SignaturePower of Attorney by AssigneePower of Attorney
Topic

Assignee Rights Post-AIA (MPEP 324-325)

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-8d0c45c769aa6648c85b41c4]
Assignee Can Revoke Power of Attorney Only If Becomes Applicant
Note:
An assignee who is not the applicant may revoke a power of attorney only if they comply with specific requirements and become the applicant.

A power of attorney may be revoked only by the applicant or patent owner. An assignee who is not the applicant may revoke a power of attorney only if the assignee becomes the applicant per 37 CFR 1.46(c) (which requires compliance with 37 CFR 3.71 and 3.73).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(c)Assignee Rights Post-AIA (MPEP 324-325)Establishing OwnershipAssignee as Applicant Signature
Topic

Practitioner Recognition and Conduct

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-7335e07e2e7d664bf9a22240]
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 Effective Dates

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-402-05-a-ada667f5e01edb2ed0bc6348]
Requirement for New Power of Attorney Appointment
Note:
Applicants must appoint a new power of attorney in their application after September 16, 2012.

See MPEP § 402.02(a) for appointment of a new power of attorney in an application filed on or after September 16, 2012.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.36AIA Effective DatesChanging Power of AttorneyAIA Overview and Effective Dates

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
Power of Attorney by Assignee
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.17(f)
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
Power of Attorney by Assignee
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.32(b)
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
Power of Attorney by Assignee
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.32(c)(2)
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
Power of Attorney by Assignee
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.33
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
37 CFR § 1.34
Registration Number on Signature37 CFR § 1.43
Assignee Rights Post-AIA (MPEP 324-325)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Correspondence Address Requirements
POA via Customer Number
Power of Attorney Requirements
Power of Attorney by Assignee
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.46(c)
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
37 CFR § 1.48
Registration Number on Signature37 CFR § 1.63
Registration Number on Signature37 CFR § 1.64(f)
Assignee Rights Post-AIA (MPEP 324-325)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
37 CFR § 3.71
AIA Effective DatesMPEP § 402.02(a)
Practitioner Recognition and Conduct
Registration Number on Signature
MPEP § 402.04

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