Who can be named as an inventor on a patent application?
According to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), an inventor must be a natural person. The MPEP states:
“35 U.S.C. 100(f) defines the term ‘inventor’ as the individual or, if a joint invention, the individuals collectively who invented or discovered the subject matter of the invention.”
This means that only individuals, not companies or artificial intelligence systems, can be named as inventors on a patent application.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2100 - Patentability,
MPEP 2109 - Inventorship,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure