Can joint inventors execute separate oaths or declarations?

Joint inventors can indeed execute separate oaths or declarations, but this is contingent upon certain conditions being met. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regulations, if inventors are filing separately, they are allowed to submit their individual declarations as long as each declaration includes an acknowledgment of the inventorship and is signed by each inventor.

This flexibility in allowing separate submissions is particularly useful when joint inventors are unable to sign a single document, either due to geographical distance or other contractual limitations. However, the separate declarations must still meet specific requirements laid out by the patent office to ensure that they correctly represent each inventor’s contributions to the invention.

This approach balances the need for accurate patent representation while accommodating practical challenges faced by inventors working together but located apart.