What should an inventor do if they cannot comprehend the documents related to their oath or declaration?
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.
If an inventor cannot comprehend the documents related to their oath or declaration, the MPEP 602.06 provides guidance:
“If the documents are in a language the individual cannot comprehend, the documents may be explained to him or her so that he or she is able to understand them.”
This means that the content of the documents can be explained to the inventor in a language they understand, allowing them to make an informed oath or declaration. It’s crucial that the inventor understands the content of the documents they are swearing to or declaring, even if they cannot read the original language.