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uspto assignment tool

Navigating the USPTO Patent Assignment Search: A Comprehensive Guide

By Babak Akhlaghi on March 28, 2024. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a pivotal institution in the realm of intellectual property, playing a crucial role in protecting the innovations that fuel progress. Among its varied services, the USPTO patent assignment search stands out as an essential resource for individuals and organizations navigating the intricacies of patent ownership and assignments. This guide delves deep into the functionality and significance of the USPTO’s patent assignment search tool, shedding light on its utility and operation for all stakeholders involved in the patenting process.

Understanding Patent Assignments

To fully appreciate the value of the USPTO assignment search, one must first understand what a patent assignment entails. Essentially, a patent assignment is the transfer of an owner’s rights, title, and interest in a patent or patent application to another entity or individual. This process can occur through the sale of the patent, a transfer of ownership during a business transaction, or through inheritance. The completion of an assignment confers upon the new owner the exclusive rights to the patent, including the authority to prevent others from exploiting the patented invention.

The Role of the USPTO Patent Assignment Search

Central to the USPTO’s offerings is the USPTO assignment database, a comprehensive repository that records all patent assignment information from August 1980 to the current day. This database becomes indispensable for verifying the present ownership of a patent or patent application whenever the USPTO processes pertinent assignment details.

For inventors, legal professionals, and corporations alike, the USPTO assignment search is vital for various reasons. It facilitates due diligence efforts prior to the acquisition or licensing of patents, aids in the resolution of patent right disputes, and ensures adherence to assignment recording protocols.

Utilizing the USPTO Patent Assignment Search

Thanks to the user-friendly interface of the USPTO assignment search tool , users can effortlessly access detailed records of patent assignments. This tool, part of the broader USPTO Electronic Patent Assignment System (EPAS), allows searches by multiple criteria such as patent number, assignor and assignee names, publication numbers, and reel/frame numbers. Results from this assignee search provide comprehensive details about each assignment, including participant names, assigned patents or applications, and the date of assignment.

The USPTO patent assignment search tool is far more than a mere database; it serves as a critical access point to the legal and commercial dimensions of patenting. By facilitating access to exhaustive records of US patent assignments, the USPTO empowers stakeholders across the innovation landscape to make well-informed decisions. This, in turn, helps in averting disputes and promoting the seamless transfer of technology. Whether you are conducting a US patent assignment search, exploring the USPTO assignment database, or utilizing the USPTO trademark assignment search function, the USPTO’s resources are invaluable for anyone involved in the intricate world of patents and trademarks.

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The USPTO’s Increased Automation of Patent Assignments is Good for the Patent System

Jeff O’Neill image

“Consistency in the process for examining patent applications benefits the entire patent community because it promotes more consistent and thus fairer outcomes.”

https://depositphotos.com/380462812/stock-photo-artificial-intelligence-robot-occupies-left.html

Examiners at the USPTO have expertise in specific technology areas, and to ensure a high-quality examination of a patent, it is important to match the technology of the patent to the expertise of an examiner.

The details of the assignment process are not important here, but the idea is that a patent application is “classified,” which means that codes are assigned to indicate the technological subject matter of the patent, and then an art unit and examiner are selected with expertise in that technology.

Recent Changes

In the past, this process was manual. People would review patent applications to assign classification codes, and then other people would determine the art unit and examiner to be assigned using the classification codes.

More recently, the USPTO is automating the assignment process. The assignment process is a great candidate for automation using machine learning, because large amounts of training data are available to train a machine learning model. Automating the assignment process has several advantages: lower costs, faster processing, and more consistent and likely better assignments of applications to art units and examiners.

Several companies provide tools that predict the art unit that will be assigned to a patent application after it is filed. Examples include Juristat, Patent Bots, PatSnap, and Serco. A patent practitioner can pay to use these tools to influence the art unit that will be assigned to a patent application after it is filed. The analysis here uses the Patent Bots tool.

The USPTO has stated publicly that it is transitioning to using more automation in the patent assignment process, and the improved accuracy of the art unit predictor tool provides independent confirmation.

The improved accuracy of the Patent Bots art unit predictor tool over the last two years shows that the USPTO is increasing the use of automation in assigning patent applications to art units. This conclusion is based on differences between manual processing by people and automated processing by machines.

People are much less predictable than machines. Asking different people to classify the same patent might result in different outcomes. Even asking the same person to classify the same patent on two different days might result in different outcomes. By contrast, when a machine does the classification, the outcome will always be the same.

Accordingly, when you try to predict what a person will do in assigning a patent to an art unit, the accuracy of the prediction will be lower because there is more randomness in what the outcome will be. But when you try to predict what a machine will do, the accuracy will be higher because the machine produces the same result each time. If the process is fully automated, then it should be possible to obtain near perfect accuracy since a machine learning model has the capability to learn even a complex decision-making process, as long as that process is consistent.

As the USPTO transitions the patent assignment process to replace decisions by people with decisions by machines, it should thus be easier for a third-party tool to predict the outcome. The following graph shows the accuracy of the Patent Bots art unit predictor over the last two years:

uspto assignment tool

The art unit predictor tool predicts five possible art units and the accuracy here corresponds to one of the five predicted art units being the correct art unit. The accuracy numbers in the above chart are computed at six-month intervals over two years.

The implementation of the art unit predictor tool has not changed over this time period. The only change is the data used to train and test the art unit predictor tool. The accuracy of the predictor is clearly increasing over time.

The increased accuracy of the art unit predictor tool means that the USPTO is becoming more predictable in its process of assigning applications to art units. This is better for the patent system because similar applications will be assigned to the same art units and those art units will have (or learn) more expertise in those technology areas.

The Fully Automated Future

As the USPTO continues to automate the patent assignment process, the ability of third parties to predict the art unit assigned to an application will continue to increase. Where the USPTO process is fully automated, it may even be possible to have near perfect accuracy, including predicting the individual examiner that will be assigned to a patent application.

If and when the USPTO assignment process becomes fully automated, it is plausible that the USPTO might provide a public facing tool to allow all patent applicants to see the likely assignment of their application to an art unit or examiner. This would obviate the need for third-party art unit prediction tools.

Consistency in the process for examining patent applications benefits the entire patent community because it promotes more consistent and thus fairer outcomes. Automating the patent assignment process is one step in promoting consistency and I look forward to further advances in USPTO technology to increase consistency and fairness in the patent examination process.

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Join the Discussion

Lisa schreihart.

Anon, I won’t particularly comment on your questions as to the examiner union contract or whether some examiners could just rubber stamp. I suppose some could; probably many do their best to comply. It’s a new process, and with many new processes at any workplace, it sometimes takes a while to get everyone onboard, at least until they start seeing the benefit. Lisa

Anon, IPWatchDog has had Drew Hirschfeld in webinars a few times talking about the new AI and how examiners are helping to improve the classification of applications. Look at the IPWatchDog webinar list and you will see a few recent webinars. Thanks, Lisa

Primary Examiner

Lisa- good points, and I agree. The two tasks – reviewing the classification picture review and potentially having to initiate a challenge- have become quite common tasks for most Examiners. We are given a bit of time to complete these tasks. Most Examiners I’ve talked to prefer the old days, when the classification was done by contractors and was out of the Examiner’s hands. Depending on which area you examine, an Examiner can now spend a considerable amount of time performing these new tasks.

Ms. Schreihart,

Where can I read more about this? It appears that any such ‘new tasking’ violates the union agreement that examiners operate under. What possible penalty would there be for examiners to either: a) say “No” to this added work? b) passive/aggressively ‘comply’ by saying they have done the work, but just rubber stamp (thereby creating possible Type I as well as Type II errors)?

Along with the automation has come added examiner scrutiny: one more task in an examiner’s long list of tasks, to review the classification picture and perhaps file a classification challenge, internal to the USPTO, before the examiner starts examining. But to do that, the examiner has to spend some time looking at the application, which possibly may not stay with that examiner. Yes, I agree, as the AI gets better, examiners won’t have to do this, but it is now a new task, and it is not one that is fully embraced, as it takes time away from the usual examination process. In other words, some of the classification scrutiny that was previously done by contractors prior to assignment of the application to an examiner now has to be done by an examiner. Examiners are tasked to essentially help improve the AI. That’s the goal, anyway.

Louis Iselin

The graph has no error bars, so the “improvement” could just be noise.

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United States Patent and Trademark Office - An Agency of the Department of Commerce

Learn to search for patents at the Southwest Office

Are you interested in learning more about patent searching?

Register today to attend this in-person, interactive session on October 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. CT, led by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts who will demonstrate how to conduct a patent search using the  Patent Public Search tool .

Participants will learn basic information about:

  • How to conduct a preliminary U.S. patent search
  • The six-step patentability search strategy
  • Patent searching tools

This new web-based patent search tool replaces legacy search tools Public-Examiner’s Automated Search Tool (PubEast), Public-Web-based Examiner’s Search Tool (PubWest), Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PatFT), and Patent Application Full-Text and Image Database (AppFT), which were retired in September 2022.

Register today

For more information about patent searching, visit the  search for patents page  on the USPTO website.

For questions about this event, email the USPTO's Southwest Regional Outreach Office at  [email protected]  or call 469-295-9000. Please feel free to bring your laptop and follow along. This event is strictly in person and will not include a virtual component. 

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If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.

Additional information about this page

IMAGES

  1. What USPTO should do

    uspto assignment tool

  2. Uspto assignment form: Fill out & sign online

    uspto assignment tool

  3. Fillable Online 302-Recording of Assignment Documents

    uspto assignment tool

  4. Uspto assignment

    uspto assignment tool

  5. Fillable Online uspto The USPTO Patent Assignment Dataset: Descriptions

    uspto assignment tool

  6. How to Change the Owner of Your Trademark

    uspto assignment tool

VIDEO

  1. CMPE 287 Lab Assignment

  2. Proteus isis property assignment tool

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  4. CYS Employee Assignment Tool CEAT

  5. Tool items!🥰new viral Gadgets,smart Applinances kitchin utensils/home Inbentions#shorts#Gadgetss

  6. AI Patent Search Tool + GPT

COMMENTS

  1. Assignment Center

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is streamlining the process for recording assignments and other documents relating to interests in patents and trademarks. ... Copy assignment: The new copy function allows you to copy an existing assignment and edit the details so it is accurate for the new assignment. This feature saves you from ...

  2. Assignment Center

    The site is secure. A lock ( lock) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  3. United States Patent and Trademark Office

    United States Patent and Trademark Office. Select one. Enter assignment information in any field or combination of fields. The number assigned when a patent application is filed at USPTO. The person, group of persons, or organization that recieved ownership rights of the patent application or patent. The nature of the transfer of ownership of ...

  4. Patents Assignments: Change & search ownership

    Assignment Center makes it easier to transfer ownership or change the name on your patent or trademark registration. See our how-to guides on using Assignment Center for patents and trademarks. If you have questions, email [email protected] or call customer service at 800-972-6382.

  5. Assignment Center

    If I have a question about filing an assignment document, where can I get help? expand_more. You may contact the Assignment Recordation Branch Customer Service Desk at 571-272-3350 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. You may email questions about electronic assignment filing to [email protected].

  6. Online patent tools

    Assignment Center makes it easier to transfer ownership or change the name on your patent or trademark registration. See our how-to guides on using Assignment Center for patents and trademarks. If you have questions, email [email protected] or call customer service at 800-972-6382.

  7. Patent Center

    All ideas are reviewed and considered weekly. For questions, technical issues or troubleshooting, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at [email protected] or 866-217-9197. Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. ET. Filing and application management incorporated within a single user interface for enhanced user experience.

  8. Assignment Center

    Assignment Center Trademark Training Guide (PDF) Signing in to Assignment Center (YouTube) Starting a trademark assignment request in Assignment Center (YouTube) Resubmitting a trademark request in Assignment Center (YouTube) Receive updates from the USPTO. Enter your email to subscribe or update your preferences.

  9. PDF What you Need to Know…..

    signment will be recorded. Customers who desire to have an assignment application stopped, prior to recordation, should submit a Stop/Hold Request, immediately. upon recognizing the need. A stop/hold request must be submitted via email to. [email protected]. If the subject matter of your conveyance type; is not indicated on the list of ...

  10. PDF Assignment Center Training Guide Trademarks

    If you already have a USPTO.gov account, skip to slide 15. You must have a USPTO.gov account to use AssignmentCenter. 1. Go to https://assignmentcenter.uspto.govto access the Assignment Center landing page. 2. Click "Create an account" in the top right corner of the page. Account Creation. 3

  11. USPTO Assignments on the Web

    Assignments on the Web. Select One. Patent Assignment. Trademark Assignment. If you have any comments or questions concerning the data displayed, contact PRD / Assignments at 571-272-3350. v.2.6.

  12. USPTO Assignments on the Web

    The database contains all recorded Trademark Assignment information from 1955 to September 19, 2024 . Trademark Assignments recorded prior to 1955 are maintained at the National Archives and Records Administration. If you have any comments or questions concerning the data displayed, contact PRD / Assignments at 571-272-3350. v.2.6 ...

  13. Assignment Center tutorial videos

    Assignment Center tutorial videos. On February 5, Assignment Center will replace the Electronic Patent Application System (EPAS) and Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS). Assignment Center makes it easier to transfer ownership or change the name on your patent or trademark registration. Learn how to use it through these tutorial videos.

  14. Search for patents

    Patent Public Search. The Patent Public Search tool is a new web-based patent search application that replaced internal legacy search tools PubEast and PubWest and external legacy search tools PatFT and AppFT. Patent Public Search has two user selectable modern interfaces that provide enhanced access to prior art. The new, powerful, and flexible capabilities of the application improves the ...

  15. Resources available to support transition to Assignment Center

    Please note: the location to search for patent and trademark assignments will not change. For more information or questions, please email [email protected] or call 571-272-3350. Find more information on recent enhancements we've made to our digital tools, as well as opportunities to volunteer to test new web features, on the USPTO ...

  16. United States Patent and Trademark Office

    Patent Center is a new online system for filing and managing patent applications with the USPTO. It offers a single interface, easy account creation, and search features.

  17. Navigating The USPTO Patent Assignment Search: A Comprehensive ...

    The USPTO patent assignment search tool is far more than a mere database; it serves as a critical access point to the legal and commercial dimensions of patenting. By facilitating access to exhaustive records of US patent assignments, the USPTO empowers stakeholders across the innovation landscape to make well-informed decisions. ...

  18. A Complete Guide to USPTO Patent Assignment Search

    The USPTO patent assignment search tool is far more than a mere database; it serves as a critical access point to the legal and commercial dimensions of patenting. By facilitating access to exhaustive records of US patent assignments, the USPTO empowers stakeholders across the innovation landscape to make well-informed decisions. ...

  19. Patent Center

    Patent Center - United States Patent and Trademark Office ... PatentCenter UI

  20. The USPTO's Increased Automation of Patent Assignments ...

    The USPTO has stated publicly that it is transitioning to using more automation in the patent assignment process, and the improved accuracy of the art unit predictor tool provides independent ...

  21. USPTO's new Assignment Center to replace EPAS and ETAS this month

    As part of our efforts to improve our services and strengthen the customer experience, as previously announced, on January 22, 2024, Assignment Center will replace the Electronic Patent Assignment System (EPAS) and Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS). Assignment Center streamlines the process for transferring ownership or changing the ...

  22. Patent Public Search

    Access the USPTO Patent Public Search for an extended window to search and view international patent filings.

  23. USPTO issues final rule on PTAB's Motion to Amend procedure

    USPTO issues final rule on PTAB's Motion to Amend procedure. To promote the issuance of robust and reliable patents, today we announced a final rule governing the motion to amend (MTA) procedures applicable to trial proceedings under the America Invents Act (AIA) administered by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).. Based on public comments and the steady support for the MTA pilot ...

  24. Learn to search for patents at the Southwest Office

    Add to Calendar2024-10-22 11:00:002024-10-22 11:00:00Learn to search for patents at the Southwest Office Are you interested in learning more about patent searching?Register today to attend this in-person, interactive session on October 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. CT, led by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts who will demonstrate how to conduct a patent search using the Patent ...