37 CFR 1.31 — Applicant may be represented by one or more patent practitioners or joint inventors
Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024
An applicant for patent may file and prosecute the applicant’s own case, or the applicant may give power of attorney so as to be represented by one or more patent practitioners or joint inventors, except that a juristic entity ( e.g., organizational assignee) must be represented by a patent practitioner even if the juristic entity is the applicant. The Office cannot aid in the selection of a patent practitioner.
[50 FR 5171, Feb. 6, 1985, effective Mar. 8, 1985; revised, 69 FR 29865, May 26, 2004, effective June 25, 2004; revised 69 FR 35427, June 24, 2004, effective July 26, 2004; revised, 70 FR 56119, Sept. 26, 2005, effective Nov. 25, 2005; revised, 77 FR 48776, Aug. 14, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012]
Cited by
- 1502.02 Design Patent Practitioner Bar
- 2590 Acceptance of Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in Expired Patent to Reinstate Patent
- 324 Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012
- 325 Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012
- 401 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Cannot Aid in Selection of Patent Practitioner
- 402 Power of Attorney; Naming Representative
- 403.01(a) Correspondence in Applications Filed On or After September 16, 2012
- 502.05 Correspondence Transmitted by EFS-Web
- 715 Swearing Behind a Reference — Affidavit or Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.131(a)