District of Columbia Assignment of Pending Design Patent Application by Sole Inventor is a legal document that refers to the transfer of ownership rights of a pending design patent application in the District of Columbia. This assignment is specifically performed by the sole inventor of the design. In the District of Columbia, there are several types of Assignment of Pending Design Patent Application by Sole Inventor, each having its own characteristics and implications: 1. Voluntary Assignment: This type of assignment occurs when the sole inventor willingly transfers their rights and interests in a pending design patent application to another party. This can happen for various reasons, such as selling the invention to a company or partnering with another individual to further develop and commercialize the design. 2. Involuntary Assignment: Sometimes, assignments occur involuntarily, where the transfer of ownership is mandated by external circumstances or legal requirements. For example, if the sole inventor is indebted and needs to liquidate their assets, the pending design patent application may be assigned to a creditor as a means of repayment. 3. Partial Assignment: In some cases, the sole inventor may choose to assign only a portion of their rights and interests in the pending design patent application. This allows them to retain some level of control or ownership while still collaborating or benefiting from the involvement of other parties. 4. Exclusive Assignment: An exclusive assignment means that the sole inventor transfers all their rights and interests in the pending design patent application to a specific assignee. This assignment prohibits the inventor from assigning those rights to any other party and grants the assignee exclusive control and ownership over the application. 5. Non-Exclusive Assignment: Unlike an exclusive assignment, a non-exclusive assignment enables the sole inventor to assign their rights and interests in the pending design patent application to multiple assignees simultaneously. This type of assignment allows the inventor to enter into multiple agreements with different parties, providing flexibility and potentially attracting more investment or collaboration opportunities. 6. Assignment with Diversionary Interest: Assignment with diversionary interest is an agreement where the sole inventor assigns their rights and interests in the pending design patent application to an assignee, but with a condition of reversion. This means that if certain predetermined conditions are not met within a specified period, the ownership of the application reverts to the inventor. It is important for the sole inventor and the assignee to execute a District of Columbia Assignment of Pending Design Patent Application properly, ensuring that all legal requirements and considerations are met. This document safeguards the interests of both parties and establishes clarity regarding the ownership and future commercialization of the pending design patent.