All patent applications must be filed in the name of the actual inventor(s). However, the owner of a design is often not the inventor. This occurs, for example, if the design was created as part of one’s employment or if it was simply sold or otherwise transferred to somebody else. If this is the case, the inventor(s) can file an Assignment with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office either when the patent application is filed or anytime after that to inform the Office of this change in ownership rights. For additional information, contact the Assignment Branch of the USPTO at 1-800-786-9199 or at
usptinfo@uspt.gov.