Are patent assignment records publicly accessible after recording at the USPTO?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Yes, patent assignment records become publicly accessible after they are recorded at the USPTO. The MPEP 302.01 states: ‘Assignment documents submitted for recording are scanned and stored in a public database.’

This means:

• Anyone can access recorded assignment information
• The public database allows searching for patent ownership details
• Transparency in patent ownership is maintained

Public accessibility of these records is crucial for maintaining transparency in patent ownership and facilitating due diligence in patent transactions. Interested parties can search and retrieve assignment information through the USPTO’s Assignment Search database.