Can a power of attorney be granted to a foreign patent attorney or agent?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. In general, a power of attorney in U.S. patent applications can only be granted to practitioners who are registered to practice before the USPTO. According to MPEP 402.02 : “The Office cannot recognize more than one power of attorney in an application at any given time. However, a registered attorney or agent may be appointed in a representative capacity under 37 CFR 1.34 in addition to any power of attorney that may be in effect.” While foreign patent attorneys or agents cannot be directly granted power of attorney, they can work with U.S. registered practitioners who can be appointed. Additionally, foreign attorneys can be recognized as representatives under 37 CFR 1.34 for limited purposes, such as filing papers or receiving Office communications. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Attorney or Agent Must Be Registered to Practice Before USPTO MPEP 402 Required Attorney or Agent May Only Act as Design Patent Practitioner MPEP 402 Permitted Patent Attorney or Agent Required for Design Patents MPEP 402 Permitted Powers of Attorney for Customer Number Practitioners MPEP 402 Permitted Refiling Power of Attorney When More Than Ten Practitioners Named MPEP 402 Recommended Attorney or Agent Representation Required for International Applications MPEP 402.09 Permitted More Than Ten Practitioners Requires Customer Number Or Separate Paper MPEP 402 Requirement for Power of Attorney Appointment Before September 16, 2012 MPEP 402.02 New Power of Attorney Required for Wrong Registration Number MPEP 402 Required Requirement for Power of Attorney Appointment After September 16, 2012 MPEP 402.02 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse Can multiple attorneys be appointe...