Ethics rules

USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct

USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct (USPTO Rules) replaced the USPTO Code of Professional Responsibility and conform to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct of the American Bar Association, versions of which have been adopted by 49 states and the District of Columbia. The USPTO Rules streamline practitioners' professional responsibility obligations, thereby aligning those obligations with most practitioners' state bar requirements. See 37 CFR Part 11.

OED also offers practitioners assistance with issues relating to registration and practice before the USPTO.  While OED cannot provide you with legal advice or render an opinion on your compliance with the rules, we can provide callers, who may remain anonymous, with information regarding which professional conduct rules should be considered in a given situation.  Please call 571-272-4097 and ask for the attorney of the day.  

Final Rule(link is external) (Federal Register notice)

Final Rule

ABA and USPTO Rule Comparison Chart

Proposed vs. Final USPTO Rule Comparison Chart

USPTO Press Release

USPTO Director's Blog

Proposed Rule and Comments