Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
Here’s the complete FAQ:
MPEP 300 - Ownership and Assignment (4)
Obtaining patent assignment records from before May 1, 1957, involves a different process than accessing more recent records. According to MPEP 301.01:
All records of assignments of patents recorded before May 1, 1957, are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The records are open to public inspection. Certified and uncertified copies of those assignment records are provided by NARA upon request and payment of the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP further advises:
Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.
To obtain these records:
- Contact NARA directly.
- Provide as much information as possible about the patent and assignment you’re seeking.
- Be prepared to pay the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP also notes: All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
For the most up-to-date information on accessing these records, it’s recommended to check the National Archives website.
For more information on NARA, visit: NARA.
To request copies of patent assignment records, follow these steps:
- For records after May 1, 1957: Contact the USPTO and pay the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- For records before May 1, 1957: Contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) directly.
- For recent records: Check the USPTO website for online availability.
When requesting a copy, the MPEP advises: “An order for a copy of an assignment or other document should identify the reel and frame number where the assignment or document is recorded.” Failure to provide this information may result in additional charges.
Obtaining copies of patent assignment records depends on when the assignment was recorded. According to MPEP 301.01:
- For assignments recorded on or after May 1, 1957:
- Copies can be obtained from the USPTO upon request and payment of the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- The MPEP states: “Requests for abstracts of title for assignments of patents recorded after May 1, 1957, are provided by the Certification Division upon request and payment of fee required in 37 CFR 1.19.”
- For assignments recorded before May 1, 1957:
- These records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
- Requests should be directed to NARA directly.
- The MPEP advises: “Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
When requesting copies, be sure to identify the reel and frame number where the assignment is recorded to avoid extra charges for search time.
To learn more:
Pre-1957 patent assignment records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), not the USPTO. According to MPEP 301.01:
“All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.”
To access these records:
- Visit the National Archives website at www.archives.gov for information on how to obtain records from these locations.
- Be prepared to pay fees required by NARA for copies of records.
- Note that assignment records from before 1837 are not available.
The MPEP advises: “Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
To learn more:
MPEP 301-Ownership/Assignability of Patents and Applications (2)
Obtaining patent assignment records from before May 1, 1957, involves a different process than accessing more recent records. According to MPEP 301.01:
All records of assignments of patents recorded before May 1, 1957, are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The records are open to public inspection. Certified and uncertified copies of those assignment records are provided by NARA upon request and payment of the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP further advises:
Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.
To obtain these records:
- Contact NARA directly.
- Provide as much information as possible about the patent and assignment you’re seeking.
- Be prepared to pay the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP also notes: All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
For the most up-to-date information on accessing these records, it’s recommended to check the National Archives website.
For more information on NARA, visit: NARA.
To request copies of patent assignment records, follow these steps:
- For records after May 1, 1957: Contact the USPTO and pay the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- For records before May 1, 1957: Contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) directly.
- For recent records: Check the USPTO website for online availability.
When requesting a copy, the MPEP advises: “An order for a copy of an assignment or other document should identify the reel and frame number where the assignment or document is recorded.” Failure to provide this information may result in additional charges.
Patent Law (4)
Obtaining patent assignment records from before May 1, 1957, involves a different process than accessing more recent records. According to MPEP 301.01:
All records of assignments of patents recorded before May 1, 1957, are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The records are open to public inspection. Certified and uncertified copies of those assignment records are provided by NARA upon request and payment of the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP further advises:
Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.
To obtain these records:
- Contact NARA directly.
- Provide as much information as possible about the patent and assignment you’re seeking.
- Be prepared to pay the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP also notes: All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
For the most up-to-date information on accessing these records, it’s recommended to check the National Archives website.
For more information on NARA, visit: NARA.
To request copies of patent assignment records, follow these steps:
- For records after May 1, 1957: Contact the USPTO and pay the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- For records before May 1, 1957: Contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) directly.
- For recent records: Check the USPTO website for online availability.
When requesting a copy, the MPEP advises: “An order for a copy of an assignment or other document should identify the reel and frame number where the assignment or document is recorded.” Failure to provide this information may result in additional charges.
Obtaining copies of patent assignment records depends on when the assignment was recorded. According to MPEP 301.01:
- For assignments recorded on or after May 1, 1957:
- Copies can be obtained from the USPTO upon request and payment of the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- The MPEP states: “Requests for abstracts of title for assignments of patents recorded after May 1, 1957, are provided by the Certification Division upon request and payment of fee required in 37 CFR 1.19.”
- For assignments recorded before May 1, 1957:
- These records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
- Requests should be directed to NARA directly.
- The MPEP advises: “Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
When requesting copies, be sure to identify the reel and frame number where the assignment is recorded to avoid extra charges for search time.
To learn more:
Pre-1957 patent assignment records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), not the USPTO. According to MPEP 301.01:
“All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.”
To access these records:
- Visit the National Archives website at www.archives.gov for information on how to obtain records from these locations.
- Be prepared to pay fees required by NARA for copies of records.
- Note that assignment records from before 1837 are not available.
The MPEP advises: “Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
To learn more:
Patent Procedure (4)
Obtaining patent assignment records from before May 1, 1957, involves a different process than accessing more recent records. According to MPEP 301.01:
All records of assignments of patents recorded before May 1, 1957, are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The records are open to public inspection. Certified and uncertified copies of those assignment records are provided by NARA upon request and payment of the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP further advises:
Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.
To obtain these records:
- Contact NARA directly.
- Provide as much information as possible about the patent and assignment you’re seeking.
- Be prepared to pay the fees required by NARA.
The MPEP also notes: All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
For the most up-to-date information on accessing these records, it’s recommended to check the National Archives website.
For more information on NARA, visit: NARA.
To request copies of patent assignment records, follow these steps:
- For records after May 1, 1957: Contact the USPTO and pay the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- For records before May 1, 1957: Contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) directly.
- For recent records: Check the USPTO website for online availability.
When requesting a copy, the MPEP advises: “An order for a copy of an assignment or other document should identify the reel and frame number where the assignment or document is recorded.” Failure to provide this information may result in additional charges.
Obtaining copies of patent assignment records depends on when the assignment was recorded. According to MPEP 301.01:
- For assignments recorded on or after May 1, 1957:
- Copies can be obtained from the USPTO upon request and payment of the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19.
- The MPEP states: “Requests for abstracts of title for assignments of patents recorded after May 1, 1957, are provided by the Certification Division upon request and payment of fee required in 37 CFR 1.19.”
- For assignments recorded before May 1, 1957:
- These records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
- Requests should be directed to NARA directly.
- The MPEP advises: “Requests for copies of pre-1957 records for patents should be directed to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
When requesting copies, be sure to identify the reel and frame number where the assignment is recorded to avoid extra charges for search time.
To learn more:
Pre-1957 patent assignment records are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), not the USPTO. According to MPEP 301.01:
“All assignment records from 1837 to April 30, 1957 for patents are now maintained and are open for public inspection in the National Archives Research Room located at the Washington National Records Center Building, 4205 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746 and at the Civilian Records Division of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.”
To access these records:
- Visit the National Archives website at www.archives.gov for information on how to obtain records from these locations.
- Be prepared to pay fees required by NARA for copies of records.
- Note that assignment records from before 1837 are not available.
The MPEP advises: “Since these records are maintained by NARA, it is more expeditious to request copies directly from NARA, rather than from the Office, which would then have to route the requests to NARA.”
To learn more: