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401    U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Cannot Aid in Selection of Patent Practitioner

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

This section covers a few details about who may patent or aid an inventor in the patenting process.

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Who may patent or aid in the patenting process?

An applicant may:

  • file and prosecute his/her own application
    • the term for this is pro se
  • request help from a registered attorney or agent
    • unregistered individuals are not allowed to help an inventor file a patent application

An applicant who is a juristic entity (e.g., organizational assignee) must be represented by a patent practitioner

An applicant for patent, other than a juristic entity (e.g., organizational assignee), may file and prosecute his or her own application, and thus act as his or her own representative

 

» 402  Power of Attorney; Naming Representative