How do I fill out the cover sheet when correcting an erroneous assignment or name change?

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.

When submitting a corrected cover sheet to address an erroneous assignment or name change, follow these instructions from MPEP 323.01(c):

1. Check the box titled ‘Other’ in the ‘Nature of Conveyance’ section.
2. Indicate that the submission is to correct an error in a previously recorded document that erroneously affects the identified application(s) or patent(s).
3. Write the name of the correct owner in both the ‘conveying party’ and ‘receiving party’ boxes.

The MPEP explains the reasoning behind this: The party should also write the name of the correct owner in both the box requesting the name of the conveying party and the box requesting the name and address of the receiving party; this is to make it clear that ownership never changed and that any assignment or name change recorded against the application(s) or patent(s) was erroneous.