When does the public gain access to a recorded assignment?

The public gains access to a recorded assignment once the patent application is published. This is because the assignment becomes relevant to the public only when the underlying patent application is available for public scrutiny. The publication of a patent application typically occurs 18 months after the earliest priority date, which allows potential investors, researchers, and others in the field to be aware of the ownership of the patent rights.

While the assignment itself is recorded for official purposes, it does not provide any significant public notice or access until the patent application is published. The other choices do not align with the process or timing established in patent law, as notarization or a specified time frame like five years is not relevant to the public’s ability to access the assignment. Therefore, linking the public's access to the patent application’s publication reflects the correct understanding of the timing and conditions under which assignment records become accessible.