Assignments on the Web (AOTW)

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Technical questions should be e-mailed to AOTW@uspto.gov

Data/Content questions

Questions or concerns regarding the data displayed may be directed to the Assignment Services Division at AOTW@uspto.gov or 571-272-3350.

What software/hardware is required to search assignments?

A web browser. The AOTW system has been tested with Netscape Communicator 4 or higher and Internet Explorer 4 or higher.

Browser requirements:

None. However, data entered into the Reel/Frame, Patent Number or Publication number fields will be validated for proper formatting, such as numeric vs alphanumeric, length, etc. This validation is performed from the user's browser when the browser settings allow for JavaScript enabled. When JavaScript is disabled, the validation is performed at the server upon executing the search button.

Data Entry

Searches may only be conducted using one search element field at a time.

Data Results

All search results will only contain information related to published applications and/or issued patents.

Name Searching

Searching the name Smith will produce results which begin with the word Smith - - for example, names such as Smithly or Smithers. The search execution will not produce results for an assignment historical record that contains the word Smith within the middle of a string of characters or somewhere after the first word.

Wildcard searches

Wildcard searching is not available in AOTW.

Returning to the AOTW Home Page

To navigate to the home page the browser's back button may be used or click on the the text "Assignments on the Web".

Returning to the Query Menu Page

To return to the Patent Assignment Query Menu, the browser's back button may be used or click on the words "Patent Query" next to "Assignments on the Web" under the USPTO header.

Hyperlinks used in AOTW

Hyperlinks contained within the search results are linked only to information related to an assignment historical record with one exception.

Exception: Patent Number/Publication Number Hyperlinks shown on the Patent Abstract of Title page link to the information contained in the Patent Application Information Retrieval System (public) (public PAIR) that is related to the selected hyperlinked number.

SEARCH ELEMENT TIPS

Searches may only be conducted using one search element field at a time. Entries made in a search field will be cleared by overtyping or tabbing and entering data into another field.

Searching by a number field

The user may enter just the specific digits for a given number, leading zeroes are not required to be entered when searching by a number. See specific Search Data Element for additional information.
>> see results for Linked Numbers

Searching by a name field

The user should not use a quote(s) around the name field unless the user desires to search for a name field containing a quote. If quotes are used, the search execution will use the quote as part of the search string to obtain search results. See specific Search Data Element for additional information.

SEARCH DATA ELEMENTS

Reel/Frame Query

The user must enter at least 1 digit (the system will provide any necessary leading zeros to fill the field) in the reel field and then tab to the frame field to enter at least 1 numeric digit (the system will provide any necessary leading zeros to fill the field). All data (public) associated with the recorded assignment will be displayed on the Assignment Details page
>> see results for Reel/Frame Number

Patent Number Query

The user may enter 1-7 alphanumeric characters to search patent related assignment records recorded against the specific patent number. A patent number may not exceed 7 digits in length. All assignments recorded against the specific number will be displayed on the Abstract of Title page. Numeric patent numbers containing less than 7 digits will be padded with leading zeroes. Patent numbers containing leading alpha characters will also be padded with leading zeros in between the alpha and numeric characters. Note: Patent numbers are stored in the assignment historical database as a 7 position alphanumeric number. The use of leading zeros does not affect search results.
>> see results for Patent Number

Publication Number Query

The user should only enter the numeric digits of the patent publication number (the number entered must contain a total of 11 digits). The 2 position alpha characters "US" that precede the publication number should not be entered, nor should the alphanumeric kind code that follows the publication number be entered. All assignments recorded against the specific published number will be displayed on the Patent Abstract of Title page.
>> see results for Publication Number

Assignor Name Query

The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from all search results.) To reduce the number of records returned, additional search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name

SMITH
(without a comma)

all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.

However if you enter

SMITH,
(with a comma)

only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.

Titles such as Mr., Mrs. Dr., etc., should not be used as part of the search criteria.
>> see results for Assignor Name

>> Back to Top of Page

Assignor Name Index Query

The user must enter at least 1 character (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the assignment assignor records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all assignment (assignor) records that follow alphabetically. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from the search results.)
>> see results for Assignor Name Index

Assignee Name Query

The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from the search results.) To reduce the number of records returned, additional specific search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name

SMITH
(without a comma)

all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.

However if you enter

SMITH,
(with a comma)

only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.

Titles such as Mr., Mrs. Dr., etc., should not be used as part of the search criteria.
>> see results for Assignee Name

Assignee Name Index Query

The user must enter at least 1 character (alpha and/or numeric) to execute a name index search. This type of search permits the user to browse the assignment assignee records alphabetically. An index search returns all records starting with the entered character(s) and continuing through all assignment (assignee) records that follow alphabetically. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from the search results.)
>> see results for Assignee Name Index

Assignor/Assignee Name Query

The user must enter at least 2 characters (alpha or numeric) to execute a name search. Records that contain the exact data entered at a minimum will be extracted and displayed in a name summary page. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from the search results.) To reduce the number of records returned, additional specific search criteria should be entered. For instance, if you enter the name

SMITH
(without a comma)

all records that contain the name SMITH will be displayed.

However if you enter

SMITH,
( with a comma)

only records beginning with SMITH, will be displayed. Individual names are stored in the database by last name followed by first name or first name initial.

Data displayed on the Assignor Assignee Summary page will reflect the recorded assignments where the requested search criteria are shown as an assignor or as an assignee.
>> see results for Assignee Name Index

>> Back to Top of Page

SEARCH RESULTS

Hyperlinks on number type fields (Reel/Frame, Patent and Publication Number)

Hyperlinks for a reel and frame number will retrieve all assignment data associated with the reel and frame number. (Data related to any unpublished application will be redacted from the search results.) Hyperlinks for patent number and/or publication number link to the Abstract of Title page. The Abstract of Title page will order the display of all assignment records using execution date and then the reel and frame number. When multiple assignments exist with the same execution date the reel and frame number will be ordered in ascending order. (Ownership should be tracked using the assignor/assignee names when multiple assignments exist with the same execution date.) Selection of a patent or publication number link from the Summery Pages, Assignment Details or Name details pages will retrieve all assignments recorded against the selected number.

Hyperlinks on name type fields (Assignor and Assignee Name)

Hyperlinks for assignor name or assignee name link to the Name Details page. Unlike the results of a search conducted for a name, the system will retrieve all assignments recorded that contain the name selected from a hyperlinked name.

Reel/Frame Number Search Result

The search results from a Reel/Frame search contain patent assignment details for a specific assignment recordation. The information includes the Reel/Frame number, date recorded, number of pages in the assignment, the conveyance text, assignor name, assignee name, property numbers and correspondence data. Hyperlinks are provided for the following elements: Total Properties, Assignor and Assignee,

• Total Properties: provides the number of public properties contained in the specific recordation. Hyperlinks are available for Publication Number and Patent Number and link to additional information about the property. When searching by a reel and frame, property numbers displayed are limited to 100 numbers per page display. Hyperlinks have been provided to link to the additional property page displays.
• Assignors: lists the name and execution date, for each Assignor. Each name contains a hyperlink to any other assignments containing the same assignor name (exact spelling).
• Assignee: lists the name and address for each Assignee. Each name contains a hyperlink to any other assignments containing the same assignee name (exact spelling).
• Correspondence Name and Address: provides the name(s) and address(es) to whom assignment correspondence was addressed.

Patent Number and/or Publication Number Search Result

The Patent Number and/or Publication Number search result provides the abstract of title information for the specific property number entered. The Assignment information displayed contains all assignments recorded against a given property number. Hyperlinks are provided for each reel and frame number, each assignor and each assignee listed.

>> Back to Top of Page

Assignor Name Search Result

The results from conducting an Assignor search query produces an Assignor Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Search results are based upon the data entered. Please see "Assignor Name Query" above for additional information.

Assignor Name Index Search Result

The results from conducting an Assignor Name Index search provides a Assignor Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Please see "Assignor Name Index Query" above for additional information.

Assignee Name Search Result

The results from conducting an Assignee search query produces an Assignee Summary and hyperlinks for each property number and each name displayed. Please see "Assignee Name Query" above for additional information.

Assignee Name Index Search Result

The results from conducting an Assignee Name Index search provides an Assignee Summary screen and hyperlinks for each property number or name displayed. Please see "Assignee Name Query" above for additional information.

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