How is patent ownership transferred?

Patent ownership can be transferred through an assignment. According to 35 U.S.C. 261, assignments of patent applications, patents, or any interest therein must be in writing. The MPEP defines an assignment as:

‘a transfer by a party of all or part of its right, title and interest in a patent [or] patent application….’

An assignment transfers the entire ownership interest or a percentage of that interest in the patent or application. It must include the entirety of the bundle of rights associated with the ownership interest.