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Historical PDF editionMPEP Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024

MPEP Chapter 400 — Representative of Applicant or Owner

Representation of applicants and owners before the USPTO, including practitioner requirements.

About this document

This page indexes an official USPTO reference PDF from the MPEP Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024 collection. It is provided for convenient discovery and download. For the latest applicable USPTO guidance, use the official source linked on this page.

What this document covers

  • Power of attorney
  • Registered practitioners
  • Representation rules

Why a foreign applicant needs a US-registered practitioner

Who the USPTO representation requirement applies to, what it prevents a foreign attorney from doing, and how to comply.

You are outside the United States and you received a USPTO Office Action

What the US representation requirement means for applicants outside the United States, how deadlines work across time zones, and what to do first.