Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
Here’s the complete FAQ:
Yes, all patent assignment records are publicly accessible. MPEP 301.01 clearly states:
‘The assignment records of patents and applications are open to public inspection.’
This means that anyone can access these records, which include:
- Assignment documents
- Digests of assignments
- Indexes of patent assignments
The public nature of these records ensures transparency in patent ownership and transfers. However, it’s important to note that while the records are public, obtaining copies may require payment of a fee as specified in 37 CFR 1.19(b)(3).
Topics:
MPEP 300 - Ownership and Assignment,
MPEP 301-Ownership/Assignability of Patents and Applications,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure