How does filing a new power of attorney affect existing powers of attorney?

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.

Filing a new power of attorney typically revokes all prior powers of attorney. According to MPEP 402.05: When an original power of attorney is filed giving power of attorney to attorneys A, B, and C, and the same principal subsequently files another power of attorney, giving power of attorney to D without revoking all prior powers of attorney, the subsequently filed power of attorney will be treated as a revocation of the original power of attorney. This means that the most recently filed power of attorney will control.