What is the role of the Assignment Division in handling patent assignments?
The Assignment Division plays a crucial role in handling patent assignments at the USPTO. As indicated in MPEP 318:
“Assignment documents submitted for recording should not be placed directly in application or patent files, but should be forwarded to Assignment Division for recording.”
The Assignment Division’s responsibilities include:
- Receiving assignment documents submitted for recording
- Properly recording and maintaining assignment records
- Ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of ownership information
- Managing the assignment database separate from application and patent files
This specialized division ensures that patent ownership information is correctly documented and readily available when needed.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 300 - Ownership and Assignment,
MPEP 318 - Documents Not to be Placed in Files,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure