503.01(c) Recording Is Not a Determination of Validity
The act of recording a document is a ministerial act, and not a determination of the document’s validity or of its effect on title to an application or registration. Therefore, the Assignment Recordation Branch does not examine the substance of documents submitted for recording for the purpose of determining validity. However, the Assignment Recordation Branch will review any underlying document submitted in support of an assignment to ensure that it is consistent with the information provided on the cover sheet, including whether or not the mark is transferred with the good will of the business, as required under 15 U.S.C §1060(a)(1). The USPTO will determine the effect of a document only when an assignee attempts to take an action in connection with an application or registration (e.g., when an assignee files a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d)(1) or a §8 affidavit). 37 C.F.R. §3.54.