Innowacje i własność intelektualna · 5.06.1997

Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules

The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) proposes to amend its rules governing practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board) to expedite inter partes proceedings. These proposed changes enlarge the time periods for discovery, testimony, and response to motions, and concomitantly limit the circumstances in which extensions may be obtained. In addition, they impose strict limitations on the number of written discovery requests which one party may serve upon another party in a proceeding. Other proposed inter partes rule amendments clarify the rules, conform the rules to current practice, simplify practice, and correct cross-references. Finally the PTO proposes to amend 37 CFR 2.76(a), 2.76(g), and 2.76(h), which affect practice in ex parte appeals to the Board, to conform these rules to current practice.