Title 35, PatentsRelease 119-102
§33 Unauthorized Representation as Practitioner
Title 35 › PART I — UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE › CHAPTER 3 — PRACTICE BEFORE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE › § 33
Summary
You can be fined up to $1,000 each time if you are not allowed to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office but claim you are, let others believe you are, or say you can prepare or handle patent applications.
Full Legal Text
Title 35, §33
Patents, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, not being recognized to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office, holds himself out or permits himself to be held out as so recognized, or as being qualified to prepare or prosecute applications for patent, shall be fined not more than $1,000 for each offense.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 11a (May 9, 1938, ch. 188, 52 Stat. 342). This is a criminal statute. The language has been considerably simplified and the upper limit of the penalty is increased.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1975—Pub. L. 93–596 substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1975 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 93–596 effective Jan. 2, 1975, see section 4 of Pub. L. 93–596, set out as a under section 1111 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
35 U.S.C. § 33
Title 35, Patents
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102