Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
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:
A Customer Number is a USPTO-assigned number that can be used to:
- Designate the correspondence address for a patent application or patent
- Designate the fee address for a patent
- Submit a list of practitioners with power of attorney
According to MPEP 403: “A Customer Number may be used to designate the address associated with the Customer Number as the correspondence address of an application (or patent) or the fee address of a patent, and may also be used to submit a power of attorney in the application (or patent) to the registered practitioners associated with the Customer Number.”
Using a Customer Number simplifies making changes to correspondence addresses and practitioner information across multiple applications.
For more information on Correspondence Address, visit: Correspondence Address.
For more information on Customer Number, visit: Customer Number.
For more information on Fee Address, visit: Fee Address.
For more information on power of attorney, visit: power of attorney.
MPEP 403 – Correspondence — With Whom Held; Customer Number Practice (1)
A Customer Number is a USPTO-assigned number that can be used to:
- Designate the correspondence address for a patent application or patent
- Designate the fee address for a patent
- Submit a list of practitioners with power of attorney
According to MPEP 403: “A Customer Number may be used to designate the address associated with the Customer Number as the correspondence address of an application (or patent) or the fee address of a patent, and may also be used to submit a power of attorney in the application (or patent) to the registered practitioners associated with the Customer Number.”
Using a Customer Number simplifies making changes to correspondence addresses and practitioner information across multiple applications.
For more information on Correspondence Address, visit: Correspondence Address.
For more information on Customer Number, visit: Customer Number.
For more information on Fee Address, visit: Fee Address.
For more information on power of attorney, visit: power of attorney.
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:
A Customer Number is a USPTO-assigned number that can be used to:
- Designate the correspondence address for a patent application or patent
- Designate the fee address for a patent
- Submit a list of practitioners with power of attorney
According to MPEP 403: “A Customer Number may be used to designate the address associated with the Customer Number as the correspondence address of an application (or patent) or the fee address of a patent, and may also be used to submit a power of attorney in the application (or patent) to the registered practitioners associated with the Customer Number.”
Using a Customer Number simplifies making changes to correspondence addresses and practitioner information across multiple applications.
For more information on Correspondence Address, visit: Correspondence Address.
For more information on Customer Number, visit: Customer Number.
For more information on Fee Address, visit: Fee Address.
For more information on power of attorney, visit: power of attorney.
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:
A Customer Number is a USPTO-assigned number that can be used to:
- Designate the correspondence address for a patent application or patent
- Designate the fee address for a patent
- Submit a list of practitioners with power of attorney
According to MPEP 403: “A Customer Number may be used to designate the address associated with the Customer Number as the correspondence address of an application (or patent) or the fee address of a patent, and may also be used to submit a power of attorney in the application (or patent) to the registered practitioners associated with the Customer Number.”
Using a Customer Number simplifies making changes to correspondence addresses and practitioner information across multiple applications.
For more information on Correspondence Address, visit: Correspondence Address.
For more information on Customer Number, visit: Customer Number.
For more information on Fee Address, visit: Fee Address.
For more information on power of attorney, visit: power of attorney.