How can an assignment be made of record with the USPTO?

The MPEP outlines two ways to make an assignment of record with the USPTO:

1. Recording in the USPTO assignment records: ‘An assignment can be made of record in the assignment records of the Office as provided for in 37 CFR Part 3. Recordation of the assignment provides legal notice to the public of the assignment.’
2. Filing in a specific application or patent file: ‘An assignment can be made of record in the file of a patent application, patent, or other patent proceeding (e.g., reexamination proceeding).’

The MPEP notes: ‘Recordation of an assignment in the assignment records of the Office does not, by itself, permit the assignee to take action in the application, patent, or other patent proceeding.’

It’s important to understand the differences between these methods and their respective purposes in patent proceedings.