When must ownership be established by an assignee in patent matters?

An assignee must establish ownership under 37 CFR 3.73(c) in various situations, including when the assignee:

• Signs a request for status of an application
• Gives a power to inspect an application
• Appoints its own registered attorney or agent to prosecute an application
• Signs a disclaimer under 37 CFR 1.321
• Consents to the filing of a reissue application
• Signs a Fee Transmittal (PTOL-85B)

The MPEP notes: “Effective September 16, 2012, a juristic entity (e.g., organizational assignee) must be represented by a patent practitioner.”