In intellectual property, a power of attorney is a document by which a rights holder (applicant or owner of a patent, trademark, design, etc.) authorises an agent — usually an intellectual property attorney, lawyer, or registered representative — to act on their behalf before intellectual property Offices (INPI, EUIPO, WIPO, USPTO, etc.).
This document allows the agent to perform the following tasks on behalf of the owner:
- filing, monitoring, and managing applications for titles
- defending rights: oppositions, appeals, litigation
- receiving and managing notifications and representing the owner in all administrative and judicial proceedings related to the title.
The power of attorney may be general (covering all procedures for a holder) or special (limited to a given procedure).
Some Offices require an express and signed power of attorney (e.g., common law countries or certain national jurisdictions), while others (such as the EUIPO or INPI in France) allow representation without the systematic production of the document.