Can a non-practitioner change the correspondence address for a company’s patent application?

No, a non-practitioner (someone who is not a registered patent attorney or agent) cannot change the correspondence address for a company’s patent application, even if they have the authority to act on behalf of the company. The MPEP states:

If an application is filed by a company to whom the invention has been assigned or to whom there is an obligation to assign the invention, a person (other than a patent practitioner) who has the authority to act on behalf of the company may not change the correspondence address, as all papers signed on behalf of a juristic entity must be signed by a patent practitioner.

This requirement is based on 37 CFR 1.33(b)(3), which specifies that amendments and other papers must be signed by a patent practitioner when submitted on behalf of a juristic entity (such as a company).

To learn more:

• correspondence address
• company patent application
• non-practitioner
• juristic entity

To learn more:

• correspondence address change