Patent Law FAQ

This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.

c Expand All C Collapse All

MPEP 400 – Representative of Applicant or Owner (2)

Form PTO/AIA/82 is a USPTO form used by the applicant for patent to appoint one or more patent practitioners as power of attorney. This form consists of three parts:

  • Part A (PTO/AIA/82A): A transmittal page used to identify the application to which the power of attorney is directed. It must be signed by a proper 37 CFR 1.33(b) party.
  • Part B (PTO/AIA/82B): The actual power of attorney, which may also specify the correspondence address. This part must be signed by the applicant.
  • Part C (PTO/AIA/82C): An optional page that may be used to appoint up to 10 patent practitioners by name and registration number.

The MPEP notes that “PTO/AIA/82 may be used like a general power of attorney, if desired.” For example, an officer of a juristic entity assignee could sign Part B, leaving the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes empty. Then, a patent practitioner could complete and sign one Part A for each respective application and file a copy of Part B with each Part A.

It’s important to note that the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes on Part B must be completed to identify the application if Part A or an equivalent is not filed with Part B. These boxes may not be filled in by a patent practitioner after Part B has been signed by the applicant.

To learn more:

When a new power of attorney is filed that lists only one of two previously appointed patent practitioners, it has significant implications. According to MPEP 403.02:

“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.”

This means that filing a new power of attorney listing only one practitioner effectively revokes the authority of the previously appointed practitioner, even if the revocation is not explicitly stated. This is an important consideration for applicants and practitioners when making changes to representation.

To learn more:

Patent Law (2)

Form PTO/AIA/82 is a USPTO form used by the applicant for patent to appoint one or more patent practitioners as power of attorney. This form consists of three parts:

  • Part A (PTO/AIA/82A): A transmittal page used to identify the application to which the power of attorney is directed. It must be signed by a proper 37 CFR 1.33(b) party.
  • Part B (PTO/AIA/82B): The actual power of attorney, which may also specify the correspondence address. This part must be signed by the applicant.
  • Part C (PTO/AIA/82C): An optional page that may be used to appoint up to 10 patent practitioners by name and registration number.

The MPEP notes that “PTO/AIA/82 may be used like a general power of attorney, if desired.” For example, an officer of a juristic entity assignee could sign Part B, leaving the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes empty. Then, a patent practitioner could complete and sign one Part A for each respective application and file a copy of Part B with each Part A.

It’s important to note that the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes on Part B must be completed to identify the application if Part A or an equivalent is not filed with Part B. These boxes may not be filled in by a patent practitioner after Part B has been signed by the applicant.

To learn more:

When a new power of attorney is filed that lists only one of two previously appointed patent practitioners, it has significant implications. According to MPEP 403.02:

“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.”

This means that filing a new power of attorney listing only one practitioner effectively revokes the authority of the previously appointed practitioner, even if the revocation is not explicitly stated. This is an important consideration for applicants and practitioners when making changes to representation.

To learn more:

Patent Procedure (2)

Form PTO/AIA/82 is a USPTO form used by the applicant for patent to appoint one or more patent practitioners as power of attorney. This form consists of three parts:

  • Part A (PTO/AIA/82A): A transmittal page used to identify the application to which the power of attorney is directed. It must be signed by a proper 37 CFR 1.33(b) party.
  • Part B (PTO/AIA/82B): The actual power of attorney, which may also specify the correspondence address. This part must be signed by the applicant.
  • Part C (PTO/AIA/82C): An optional page that may be used to appoint up to 10 patent practitioners by name and registration number.

The MPEP notes that “PTO/AIA/82 may be used like a general power of attorney, if desired.” For example, an officer of a juristic entity assignee could sign Part B, leaving the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes empty. Then, a patent practitioner could complete and sign one Part A for each respective application and file a copy of Part B with each Part A.

It’s important to note that the “Application Number” and “Filing Date” boxes on Part B must be completed to identify the application if Part A or an equivalent is not filed with Part B. These boxes may not be filled in by a patent practitioner after Part B has been signed by the applicant.

To learn more:

When a new power of attorney is filed that lists only one of two previously appointed patent practitioners, it has significant implications. According to MPEP 403.02:

“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.”

This means that filing a new power of attorney listing only one practitioner effectively revokes the authority of the previously appointed practitioner, even if the revocation is not explicitly stated. This is an important consideration for applicants and practitioners when making changes to representation.

To learn more: