What is the role of the Assignment Division in handling patent assignments?

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 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.