MPEP § 403.02 — Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application (Annotated Rules)
§403.02 Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 403.02, 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.
Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application
This section addresses Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application. Contains: 1 guidance statement.
Key Rules
Changing Power of Attorney
If, after one patent practitioner is appointed, a second patent practitioner is later added by submission of a new power of attorney appointing both practitioners, correspondence will be mailed to the latest correspondence address of record. See 37 CFR 1.33 and 1.76. Note that if the later-filed power of attorney only lists the second practitioner, the later-filed power of attorney serves as a revocation of the earlier-filed power of attorney, even without an express revocation of the power of the first patent practitioner.
Revocation of Power of Attorney
If, after one patent practitioner is appointed, a second patent practitioner is later added by submission of a new power of attorney appointing both practitioners, correspondence will be mailed to the latest correspondence address of record. See 37 CFR 1.33 and 1.76. Note that if the later-filed power of attorney only lists the second practitioner, the later-filed power of attorney serves as a revocation of the earlier-filed power of attorney, even without an express revocation of the power of the first patent practitioner.
Correspondence Address Requirements
If the applicant simultaneously appoints two patent practitioners, applicant should indicate with whom correspondence is to be conducted by specifying a correspondence address. See MPEP §§ 403, 403.01(a), and MPEP § 403.01(b).
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| Changing Power of Attorney Revocation of Power of Attorney | 37 CFR § 1.33 |
| Correspondence Address Requirements | MPEP § 403 |
| Correspondence Address Requirements | MPEP § 403.01(b) |
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.
Official MPEP § 403.02 — Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application
Source: USPTO403.02 Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application [R-10.2019]
If the applicant simultaneously appoints two patent practitioners, applicant should indicate with whom correspondence is to be conducted by specifying a correspondence address. See MPEP §§ 403, 403.01(a), and MPEP § 403.01(b).
If, after one patent practitioner is appointed, a second patent practitioner is later added by submission of a new power of attorney appointing both practitioners, correspondence will be mailed to the latest correspondence address of record. See 37 CFR 1.33 and 1.76. Note that if the later-filed power of attorney only lists the second practitioner, the later-filed power of attorney serves as a revocation of the earlier-filed power of attorney, even without an express revocation of the power of the first patent practitioner.