Accessibility of assignment records

Q) Public Inspection (10.02.21a)

21. Which of the following documents is not open to public inspection?

(A) The abandoned parent application of a divisional application. A patent was granted on the divisional

application, which refers to the abandoned parent application.

(B) Assignment document relating to both an issued patent and a patent application not published

under 35 USC 122(b).

(C) Assignment document relating to a pending reissue application.

(D) Copy of assignment record relating to both a pending patent application and an abandoned patent

application not published under 35 USC 122(b).

(E) Assignment document relating to both an abandoned patent application not published under 35 USC 122(b)

and a pending reissue application.

21. ANSWER: (D) is correct. (A) is wrong. 37 C.F.R. § 1.14(e)(2); MPEP § 103, application

files are available upon request because the divisional application refers to the abandoned parent

application, and the division issued as a patent, causing the application to be open to inspection.

(B), (C) and (E) are wrong and (D) is correct. MPEP § 301.01.