# MPEP § 402.02: Appointment of Power of Attorney

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.02

## Section

- **Citation:** MPEP § 402.02
- **Heading:** Appointment of Power of Attorney
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO MPEP / Chapter 0400 - Representative of Applicant or Owner / MPEP § 402.02

## Text

For appointment of a power of attorney in applications
filed on or after September 16, 2012, see
MPEP §
402.02(a)
. For appointment of a power of attorney in
applications filed before September 16, 2012, see
MPEP §
402.02(b)
.
Effective June 25, 2004, the associate power of attorney practice was
eliminated. See
Revision of Power of Attorney and Assignment
Practice,
69 FR 29865 (May 2004). The Office no longer accepts a power of
attorney signed by a principal to name an associate power of attorney. Appointment of an
associate power of attorney filed on or after June 25, 2004 are not accepted. See also
MPEP §
406
.

## Nearby sections

- [MPEP § 401 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Cannot Aid in Selection of Patent Practitioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S401.md)
- [MPEP § 402 Power of Attorney; Naming Representative](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.md)
- [MPEP § 402.01 Limited Recognition in Patent Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.01.md)
- [MPEP § 402.02 Appointment of Power of Attorney](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.02.md)
- [MPEP § 402.02(a) Appointment in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.02(a).md)
- [MPEP § 402.02(b) Appointment in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.02(b).md)
- [MPEP § 402.03 Signature Requirements for Papers Filed in an Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.03.md)
- [MPEP § 402.04 Acting in a Representative Capacity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.04.md)
- [MPEP § 402.05 Revocation of Power of Attorney](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.05.md)
- [MPEP § 402.05(a) Applicant Revocation - Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.05(a).md)
- [MPEP § 402.05(b) Applicant Revocation - Application Filed Before September 16, 2012](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.05(b).md)
- [MPEP § 402.06 Attorney or Agent Withdraws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.06.md)
- [MPEP § 402.07 Assignee Revocation of Power of Attorney of Applicant and Appointment of New Power of Attorney](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.07.md)
- [MPEP § 402.08 Application in Interference or Derivation Proceeding](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.08.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S402.02. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.