Patent Assignment Form

Obtaining a patent for a new and innovative design, technology, or idea ensures that the patent holder has the exclusive rights to make, use, and sell the invention for a specified number of years. The term of most patents is 20 years from the date the patent application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Acquiring a patent guarantees that the invention cannot not be made, used, or sold by another individual or corporation. When an individual receives a patent for their invention they may need to convey or transfer the patent rights to another individual or corporation. In order to do so, the inventor must complete several forms and submit these forms to the USPTO. One such form is the patent assignment form.

The patent assignment form is used to convey the rights of a patent from one party to another party. Whether an inventor wants to assign rights to others to use the patent or the inventor is personally obtaining the right to use the patent, it is necessary to complete the USPTO assignment form. For example, if an individual works for a corporation and invents a new technology the individual may apply for a patent to protect his or her invention. The assignment form allows the individual to convey the patent rights from himself or herself to the company with which he or she is employed. Therefore, the company then receives the exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the individual's invention.

The USPTO assignment form used to convey rights from one individual to another consists of the following information: name of conveying party(ies), name and address of receiving party(ies), nature of onveyance/execution date(s), application number(s) or patent number(s), name and address of party to whom correspondence concerning the document should be mailed, total applications and patents involved, and total fee enclosed. If inventors have questions regarding assignments forms for patent conveyance, an intellectual property law attorney may be of assistance.