What happens if a patent is issued to the wrong applicant?

If a patent is issued to the wrong applicant, the USPTO has procedures to correct this error. According to MPEP 308:

‘If a patent is issued to the wrong applicant because of an error in the Office, the patentee may request a certificate of correction… If the error was not the Office’s fault, the assignee(s) or applicant(s) may request a reissue.’

The method of correction depends on whether the error was made by the USPTO or by the applicant. If it was the USPTO’s error, a certificate of correction can be requested. If it was the applicant’s error, a reissue process may be necessary.

For more information on Certificate of Correction, visit: Certificate of Correction.

For more information on error correction, visit: error correction.

For more information on patent issuance, visit: patent issuance.

For more information on reissue, visit: reissue.