41.9 Action by owner.
[Editor Note: Para. (a) below is applicable only to patent applications filed under
35 U.S.C. 111(a) or
363 on or after September 16, 2012
*]
- (a) Entire interest. An owner of the entire interest in an application or patent involved in a Board proceeding may act in the proceeding to the exclusion of the inventor (see §§ 3.71 and 3.73 of this title).
- (b) Part interest. An owner of a part interest in an application or patent involved in a Board proceeding may petition to act in the proceeding to the exclusion of an inventor or a co-owner. The petition must show the inability or refusal of an inventor or co-owner to prosecute the proceeding or other cause why it is in the interest of justice to permit the owner of a part interest to act in the proceeding. An order granting the petition may set conditions on the actions of the parties during the proceeding.
[Added, 69 FR 49959, Aug. 12, 2004, effective Sept. 13, 2004; para. (a) revised, 77 FR 48776, Aug. 14, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012] [
*The revisions to para. (a) effective Sept. 16, 2012 are applicable only to patent applications filed under
35 U.S.C. 111(a) or
363 on or after Sept. 16, 2012. See §
41.9 (pre‑AIA) for the rule otherwise in effect.]