Joint owners — Us Code Code § 262

Us Code Code § 262 — Joint owners. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 262. Joint owners

In the absence of any agreement to the contrary, each of the joint owners of a patent may make, use, offer to sell, or sell the patented invention within the United States, or import the patented invention into the United States, without the consent of and without accounting to the other owners.

(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 810; Pub. L. 103–465, title V, §533(b)(3), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4989.)

Historical and Revision Notes

This section states a condition in existing law not expressed in the existing statutes.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–465 substituted "use, offer to sell, or sell" for "use or sell" and inserted "within the United States, or import the patented invention into the United States," after "invention".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–465 effective on date that is one year after date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1995], with provisions relating to earliest filed patent application, see section 534(a), (b)(3) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section 154 of this title.

CHAPTER 27—GOVERNMENT INTERESTS IN PATENTS

Sec.
[266.
Repealed.]
267.
Time for taking action in Government applications.

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–83, §8, July 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 261, struck out item 266 "Issue of patents without fees to Government employees".

About This Section

35 U.S.C. § 262 is part of Title 35 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 35 U.S.C. § 262. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Using This Page

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 262?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 262 address?

It addresses "Joint owners". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 262 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

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