What are the signature requirements for patent practitioners in correspondence with the USPTO?

What are the signature requirements for patent practitioners in correspondence with the USPTO?

Patent practitioners (e.g., registered attorneys or agents) must follow specific signature requirements when corresponding with the USPTO:

• They must personally sign correspondence using either a handwritten signature or an S-signature.
• An S-signature is inserted between forward slash marks and includes the practitioner’s name and registration number.
• The signature must comply with 37 CFR 1.4(d)(1) or 1.4(d)(2).

According to MPEP 502.02, ‘The signature of a practitioner on correspondence filed with the USPTO must be a handwritten signature or an S-signature personally signed by such practitioner.’ This ensures accountability and authenticity in patent-related communications.

To learn more:

• patent practitioner
• signature requirements
• USPTO correspondence
• S-signature
• handwritten signature