What are the types of patent ownership?

The MPEP outlines two main types of patent ownership:

1. Individual ownership: ‘An individual entity may own the entire right, title and interest of the patent property. This occurs where there is only one inventor, and the inventor has not assigned the patent property.’
2. Joint ownership: ‘Multiple parties may together own the entire right, title and interest of the patent property.’ This can occur in several scenarios:

• Multiple partial assignees of the patent property
• Multiple inventors who have not assigned their rights
• A combination of partial assignee(s) and inventor(s) who have not assigned their rights

Understanding these ownership types is crucial for managing patent rights and making decisions about assignments or licenses.