Lesson 5: Patent Parties

IN THIS LESSON

Parties Involved in Patent Process

The patent filing process typically involves three key parties, including:

Patent Applicant

Inventor(s) – the individual(s) that conceived of the invention.
Assignee – the owner of the patent

Can be the inventor(s) or other entity (individual or company) to which ownership has been assigned.
Ownership of a patent can be sold and transferred.

Representative

Patent Agent or Patent Attorney – registered professional that represents the patent applicant.
“Pro se” applicant – an applicant that represents themself.

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Patent Examiner – USPTO employee that decides if an invention is patentable.