What is a designated office in patent applications?
A designated office is a national patent office of a country that has been ‘designated’ by an applicant in an international patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). In the context of MPEP 602.07, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) acts as a designated office when an applicant enters the national phase in the U.S. after filing an international PCT application.
When the USPTO acts as a designated office, specific requirements for oaths or declarations may apply. MPEP 602.07 directs readers to MPEP § 1893.01(e) for more detailed information on these requirements.
To learn more:
Topics:
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure