35 USC § 33 - Unauthorized representation as practitioner

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t35/s33"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "35 USC § 33 - Unauthorized representation as practitioner"
title_number: 35
title_name: "PATENTS"
section_number: "33"
section_name: "Unauthorized representation as practitioner"
chapter_number: 3
chapter_name: "PRACTICE BEFORE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2025-12-12"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 93–596, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949.)"
---


# § 33. Unauthorized representation as practitioner

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.

---

**Source Credit**: (July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 93–596, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 11a (, ).

This is a criminal statute. The language has been considerably simplified and the upper limit of the penalty is increased.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1975— substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , see , set out as a under , Commerce and Trade.