Who can sign amendments and other papers in a reexamination proceeding?
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.
In a reexamination proceeding, amendments and other papers must be signed by specific individuals as outlined in MPEP 2222:
- The patent owner
- All owners if there is more than one
- An attorney or agent of record in the patent file
- A registered attorney or agent not of record who acts in a representative capacity under the provisions of § 1.34
The MPEP states: “Amendments filed in a reexamination proceeding, and other papers filed in a reexamination or supplemental examination proceeding, on behalf of the patent owner must be signed by the patent owner, or if there is more than one owner by all the owners, or by an attorney or agent of record in the patent file, or by a registered attorney or agent not of record who acts in a representative capacity under the provisions of § 1.34.”
This requirement ensures that all submissions in the reexamination process are authorized by the patent owner or their legal representative.