What is the legal basis for an attorney or agent to sign amendments without a power of attorney?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. The legal basis for an attorney or agent to sign amendments without a power of attorney is provided in 37 CFR 1.34 . This regulation allows registered practitioners to act in a representative capacity without necessarily having a power of attorney. The MPEP § 714.01(c) clarifies this point: A registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity under 37 CFR 1.34, may sign amendments even though he or she does not have a power of attorney in the application. This provision facilitates efficient prosecution by allowing qualified professionals to assist with specific tasks in patent applications without the need for a formal power of attorney. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Amendments Required for Reissue Applications MPEP 714 Amendments Not Usually Made in Provisional Applications MPEP 714 Amendments Must Comply with Section Provisions for Provisional Applications MPEP 714 Required Examiner’s Amendments Not Bound by Specific Rules MPEP 714 Amendments Must Be Filed Compliantly MPEP 714 Amendments Must Be Filed Compliantly MPEP 714 Amendments to Specification Must Follow Specific Methods MPEP 714 Required Paragraph Deletion Must Not Use Strike-Through MPEP 714 Prohibited Amendment to Delete a Paragraph Must Be Clearly Identified MPEP 714 Permitted Specification Changes Must Show All Modifications MPEP 714 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What happens if an amendment under 37 CFR 1.312 adds claims exceeding the previously paid number? What types of amendments under 37 CFR 1.312 require supervisory patent examiner approval? What does &#8216;acting in a representative capacity&#8217; mean in the context of patent applications? Can new cla...