TRADEMARK TRIAL AND

APPEAL BOARD MANUAL OF PROCEDURE

(TBMP)

Second Edition June 2003

Revision 1

March 2004

United States Patent and Trademark Office

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PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION When we issued the first edition of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP) in 1995, we expressed the hope that it would serve as a comprehensive and ready resource for practitioners. That has proved to be so, if we can judge by the enthusiastic reception the TBMP has received. With this second edition, we hope to make a good thing better. This edition of the TBMP reflects changes in TTAB practice resulting from statutory changes and new rules promulgated since 1995 and, in particular, from the changes made in many of the TTAB rules in 1998. We have revised the format of the manual to add a comprehensive table of contents for each chapter. We have shifted case citations to footnotes to make the text easier to read and have enhanced case citations to include parenthetical explanations of the significance of the cited cases. We have added appendices with additional case law citations. We have reorganized some of the chapters to help users locate relevant information more quickly and have expanded some sections to explain TTAB practice more clearly or to reflect changes in practice. This edition of the manual reflects also the Office’s commitment to electronic government. We will not publish this edition of the TBMP in paper form but will make it available only on line at the TTAB web page of the USPTO web site. By using electronic technology, we can update the manual more quickly and, we hope, enhance its ultimate value to practitioners. Special thanks to TTAB Interlocutory Attorney Linda Skoro and Administrative Trademark Judge Terry Holtzman, whose countless hours of work and applied creativity have made this edition of the TBMP not a mere update of the first edition but, in many respects, a new and even more useful guide to TTAB practice.

J. David Sams Chief Administrative Trademark Judge Trademark Trial and Appeal Board May 1, 2003

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this manual is to provide practitioners with basic information generally useful for litigating cases before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The manual does not modify, amend, or serve as a substitute for any existing statutes, rules, or decisional law and is not binding upon the Board, its reviewing tribunals, the Director, or the USPTO. Cf., In re Wine Society of America Inc., 12 USPQ2d 1139 (TTAB 1989). Rather, the manual describes current practice and procedure under the applicable authority, as of the date the manual is issued. The manual is devoted primarily to opposition and cancellation proceedings, the two most common types of inter partes proceedings before the Board. Nonetheless, the manual includes a chapter of general information useful for all proceedings and chapters on interference proceedings, concurrent use proceedings, and ex parte appeals to the Board. The manual will be updated periodically. In particular, after implementation of the Madrid Protocol, the Board will update the manual to reflect the resulting changes in Board practice. The Board welcomes suggestions for improving the content of the manual. Suggestions and comments should be addressed as follows: Commissioner for Trademarks Attention: Chief Administrative Trademark Judge 2900 Crystal Drive Arlington, Virginia 22202-3514 The title of the manual is abbreviated as "TBMP". A citation to a section of the manual may be written as "TBMP § _____" (e.g. "TBMP § 110.01," "TBMP § 113.06," etc.). OL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 100

GENERAL INFORMATION

101 APPLICABLE AUTHORITY ________________________________________ 1 101.01 STATUTE AND RULES OF PRACTICE__________________________________ 1 101.02 FEDERAL RULES ________________________________________________ 1 101.03 DECISIONAL LAW _______________________________________________ 2 101.04 DIRECTOR’S ORDERS AND NOTICES _________________________________ 3

102 NATURE OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS _______________________________ 3 102.01 JURISDICTION OF BOARD _________________________________________ 3 102.02 TYPES OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS ____________________________________ 4 102.03 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS ______________________ 6

103 LOCATION AND ADDRESS OF BOARD _____________________________ 7

104 BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED IN WRITING _______________________ 7

105 CONTACT WITH BOARD PERSONNEL _____________________________ 7

106 IDENTIFICATION, SIGNATURE, AND FORM OF SUBMISSIONS ______ 8 106.01 IDENTIFICATION OF SUBMISSIONS___________________________________ 8 106.02 SIGNATURE OF SUBMISSIONS ______________________________________ 8 106.03 FORM OF SUBMISSIONS __________________________________________ 12

107 HOW AND WHERE TO FILE PAPERS AND FEES ___________________ 16

108 FILING RECEIPTS _______________________________________________ 19

109 FILING DATE ___________________________________________________ 20

110 CERTIFICATE OF MAILING OR TRANSMISSION PROCEDURE _____ 22 110.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 22 110.02 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE _________________________________ 24 110.03 SUGGESTED FORMAT ___________________________________________ 26 110.04 LOCATION OF CERTIFICATE ______________________________________ 27 110.05 LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF MAILING_________________________________ 28 110.06 NONRECEIPT OF CORRESPONDENCE BEARING CERTIFICATE______________ 28 110.07 EXCLUDED FILINGS_____________________________________________ 29 110.08 A CERTIFICATE OF MAILING OR TRANSMISSION IS NOT ... _______________ 29

111 "EXPRESS MAIL" PROCEDURE __________________________________ 30 111.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 30 111.02 REQUIREMENTS FOR “EXPRESS MAIL”______________________________ 32 111.03 QUESTIONABLE DATE OF MAILING_________________________________ 32

112 TIMES FOR TAKING ACTION ____________________________________ 33

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113 SERVICE OF PAPERS ____________________________________________ 34 113.01 REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE OF PAPERS _____________________________ 34 113.02 REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF SERVICE______________________________ 35 113.03 ELEMENTS OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE_____________________________ 35 113.04 MANNER OF SERVICE ___________________________________________ 36 113.05 ADDITIONAL TIME FOR TAKING ACTION AFTER SERVICE BY MAIL ________ 37 113.06 A CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE IS NOT... _______________________________ 38

114 REPRESENTATION OF A PARTY _________________________________ 38 114.01 PARTY MAY REPRESENT ITSELF ___________________________________ 39 114.02 SELECTION OF ATTORNEY________________________________________ 39 114.03 REPRESENTATION BY ATTORNEY __________________________________ 39 114.04 REPRESENTATION BY NON-LAWYER (I.E., "OTHER AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE") ___________________________________________________ 41 114.05 REPRESENTATION BY FOREIGN ATTORNEY OR AGENT __________________ 41 114.06 INDIVIDUAL NOT ENTITLED TO REPRESENT OTHERS ___________________ 42 114.07 DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE _______________________ 42 114.08 ADVERSE PARTIES REPRESENTED BY SAME PRACTITIONER ______________ 44

115 CONDUCT OF PRACTITIONER ___________________________________ 45 115.01 APPLICABLE RULES ____________________________________________ 45 115.02 DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS _____________________________________ 45 115.03 PETITIONS TO DISQUALIFY _______________________________________ 47

116 TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATION ___________________________ 48 116.01 REVOCATION OF AUTHORITY _____________________________________ 48 116.02 WITHDRAWAL AS REPRESENTATIVE--IN GENERAL_____________________ 48 116.03 WHEN WITHDRAWAL IS MANDATORY ______________________________ 50 116.04 WHEN WITHDRAWAL IS PERMISSIVE _______________________________ 50 116.05 REQUEST TO WITHDRAW ________________________________________ 50

117 CORRESPONDENCE - WITH WHOM HELD ________________________ 50 117.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 51 117.02 WHEN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE ATTORNEY OR OTHER AUTHORIZED ____ 52 REPRESENTATIVE_____________________________________________________ 52 117.03 CONTINUATION OF CORRESPONDENCE WITH REPRESENTATIVE IN APPLICATION OR ________________________________________________________________ 54 REGISTRATION WHEN INTER PARTES PROCEEDING COMMENCES ________________ 54 117.04 CONTINUATION OF CORRESPONDENCE WITH REPRESENTATIVE OF POTENTIAL OPPOSER ___________________________________________________________ 55 AFTER OPPOSITION IS FILED ____________________________________________ 55 117.05 CORRESPONDENCE AFTER REVOCATION OR WITHDRAWAL ______________ 56 117.06 CORRESPONDENCE WITH FOREIGN PARTY ___________________________ 56 117.07 CHANGE OF ADDRESS ___________________________________________ 56 117.08 INDIVIDUAL NOT ENTITLED TO REPRESENT OTHERS ___________________ 57

118 PAYMENT OF FEES______________________________________________ 57

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118.01 LISTS OF FEES AND CHARGES _____________________________________ 57 118.02 FEES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE______________________________________ 57 118.03 METHOD OF PAYMENT--IN GENERAL _______________________________ 58 118.04 METHOD OF PAYMENT--DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS _________________________ 59

119 PAPERS AND FEES GENERALLY NOT RETURNABLE ______________ 59 119.01 FEE REFUNDS--GENERAL RULE ___________________________________ 59 119.02 PAPERS AND FEES--EX PARTE CASES _______________________________ 60 119.03 PAPERS AND FEES--INTER PARTES CASES____________________________ 61

120 ACCESS TO FILES _______________________________________________ 62 120.01 NONCONFIDENTIAL FILES ________________________________________ 62 120.02 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS_______________________________________ 63 120.03 FILES OF TERMINATED PROCEEDINGS_______________________________ 64

121 COPYING OF FILES _____________________________________________ 65

122 CERTIFICATION ________________________________________________ 66 122.01 COURT REQUIREMENTS _________________________________________ 66 122.02 CERTIFIED COPIES______________________________________________ 66

123 STATUS INFORMATION FOR APPLICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS AND BOARD PROCEEDINGS ______________________________________________ 66

124 ACTION BY ASSIGNEE___________________________________________ 67

CHAPTER 200 EXTENSIONS OF TIME TO OPPOSE

201 IN GENERAL ____________________________________________________ 68

202 TIME FOR FILING REQUEST _____________________________________ 70 202.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 70 202.02 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF MARK __________________________________ 73 202.03 PREMATURE REQUEST __________________________________________ 73 202.04 LATE REQUEST ________________________________________________ 73

203 FORM OF REQUEST _____________________________________________ 74 203.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 74 203.02 IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ______________________________________ 76

203.02(a) In General _______________________________________________ 76 203.02(b) Requirement for Identification of Potential Opposer ______________ 76

203.03 SIGNATURE ___________________________________________________ 77 203.04 SERVICE _____________________________________________________ 78 203.05 DUPLICATE REQUESTS __________________________________________ 79

204 FEE_____________________________________________________________ 79

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205 MARK ON SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER NOT SUBJECT TO OPPOSITION ________________________________________________________ 79

206 WHO MAY FILE AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO OPPOSE ____________ 80 206.01 GENERAL RULE________________________________________________ 80 206.02 REQUEST FOR FURTHER EXTENSION FILED BY PRIVY___________________ 81 206.03 MISIDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL OPPOSER _________________________ 82

207 REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWING OF CAUSE; EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES ___________________________________________________ 83

207.01 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 84 207.02 EXTENSIONS UP TO 120 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION _________ 84 207.03 EXTENSIONS BEYOND 120 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION _______ 85

208 ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OMITTED_________________________________ 87

209 ACTION BY BOARD ON REQUEST ________________________________ 88 209.01 SUSPENSION POLICY ____________________________________________ 88 209.02 DETERMINATION OF EXTENSION EXPIRATION DATE____________________ 88

210 OBJECTIONS TO REQUEST ______________________________________ 89

211 RELIEF FROM ACTION OF BOARD _______________________________ 90 211.01 REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION__________________________________ 90 211.02 RELIEF AFTER INSTITUTION OF OPPOSITION __________________________ 91 211.03 PETITION TO THE DIRECTOR ______________________________________ 91

212 AMENDMENT OF APPLICATION DURING OR AFTER EXTENSION__ 93 212.01 JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT ___________________________ 93 212.02 CONDITIONS FOR EXAMINING ATTORNEY APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT _____ 93 212.03 FORM OF AMENDMENT __________________________________________ 94 212.04 ACTION BY BOARD -- UPON RECEIPT OF AMENDMENT__________________ 94 212.05 ACTION BY BOARD -- DURING CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT BY EXAMINING___________________________________________________________________ 96 ATTORNEY__________________________________________________________ 96 212.06 ACTION BY BOARD -- AFTER CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT BY EXAMINING___________________________________________________________________ 96 ATTORNEY__________________________________________________________ 96 212.07 AMENDMENT DURING OPPOSITION_________________________________ 98

213 EFFECT OF RESTORATION OF JURISDICTION____________________ 98

214 EFFECT OF REPUBLICATION ___________________________________ 100

215 EFFECT OF LETTER OF PROTEST_______________________________ 101

216 INADVERTENTLY ISSUED REGISTRATION ______________________ 104

217 RELINQUISHMENT OF EXTENSION _____________________________ 105

218 ABANDONMENT OF APPLICATION______________________________ 106

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219 AMENDMENT TO ALLEGE USE; STATEMENT OF USE ____________ 107

220 INADVERTENT ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE _______ 109

CHAPTER 300 PLEADINGS

301 TYPES OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS _______________________________ 110

302 COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING ____________________________ 111

303 WHO MAY OPPOSE OR PETITION TO CANCEL __________________ 112 303.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 112 303.02 MEANING OF THE TERM "PERSON" ________________________________ 114 303.03 MEANING OF THE TERM "DAMAGE" _______________________________ 115 303.04 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ___________________________________ 115 303.05 OPPOSITION FILED DURING EXTENSION OF TIME TO OPPOSE ____________ 116

303.05(a) General Rule ____________________________________________ 116 303.05(b) Opposition Filed by Privy __________________________________ 117 303.05(c) Misidentification of Opposer________________________________ 117

303.06 JOINT OPPOSERS OR PETITIONERS_________________________________ 118

304 PROCEEDING AGAINST MULTIPLE CLASS APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION ____________________________________________________ 119

305 CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED COMPLAINTS_________________ 119

306 TIME FOR FILING OPPOSITION _________________________________ 121 306.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 121 306.02 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF MARK _________________________________ 122 306.03 PREMATURE OPPOSITION _______________________________________ 122 306.04 LATE OPPOSITION _____________________________________________ 123

307 TIME FOR FILING PETITION TO CANCEL _______________________ 123

307.01 PETITION THAT MAY BE FILED AT ANY TIME AFTER REGISTRATION _____ 125 307.02 PETITION THAT MUST BE FILED WITHIN FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF _ 126 REGISTRATION______________________________________________________ 126

307.02(a) In General ______________________________________________ 126 307.02(b) Sec. 14 Limitation Is Independent of Section 15 Affidavit _________ 128 307.02(c) Factors Affecting the Five-Year Period _______________________ 128

307.02(c)(1) Reliance on Registration By Plaintiff _____________________ 128 307.02(c)(2) Amendment of Registration ____________________________ 129

307.03 PREMATURE PETITION TO CANCEL ________________________________ 129 307.04 LATE PETITION TO CANCEL _____________________________________ 130

308 FILING FEES ___________________________________________________ 130 308.01 FEE FOR FILING OPPOSITION _____________________________________ 130

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308.01(a) In General ______________________________________________ 130 308.01(b) Insufficient Fee __________________________________________ 132

308.02 FEE FOR FILING PETITION TO CANCEL _____________________________ 133 308.02(a) In General ______________________________________________ 133 308.02(b) Insufficient Fee __________________________________________ 134 308.02(c) Petition Filed by Federal Trade Commission ___________________ 135 308.02(d) Fee for Counterclaim _____________________________________ 136

308.03 FEES FOR JOINT OPPOSERS OR PETITIONERS _________________________ 136 308.04 FEES FOR PROCEEDING AGAINST MULTIPLE CLASS APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION______________________________________________________ 136 308.05 FEES FOR CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED COMPLAINTS _______________ 136

309 FORM AND CONTENT OF OPPOSITIONS AND PETITIONS TO CANCEL____________________________________________________________________ 137

309.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 137 309.02 FORM OF COMPLAINT __________________________________________ 139

309.02(a) Format for Complaint _____________________________________ 139 309.02(b) Signature of Complaint ____________________________________ 141 309.02(c) Service of Complaint ______________________________________ 142

309.03 SUBSTANCE OF COMPLAINT _____________________________________ 142 309.03(a) In General ______________________________________________ 143

309.03(a)(1) Scope of Opposition and Petition to Cancel ________________ 143 309.03(a)(2) Elements of Complaint – In General _____________________ 143

309.03(b) Standing________________________________________________ 145 309.03(c) Grounds ________________________________________________ 148 309.03(d) Remedy Under Section 18 (Partial Opposition or Partial _________ 155 Cancellation)_____________________________________________________ 155

309.04 DEFECTS IN COMPLAINT THAT MAY AFFECT INSTITUTION OF PROCEEDING 159

310 NOTIFICATION TO PARTIES OF PROCEEDING AND SETTING TIME TO ANSWER _______________________________________________________ 160

310.01 NOTIFICATION TO PARTIES OF PROCEEDING _________________________ 160 310.02 DEFENDANT'S COPY OF COMPLAINT RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE _____ 164 310.03 SETTING TIME FOR FILING ANSWER _______________________________ 165

310.03(a) In General ______________________________________________ 165 310.03(b) Trademark Rule 2.119(c) 5-Day Addition Not Applicable to ______ 166 Deadlines Set by Board_____________________________________________ 166 310.03(c) Extension of Time to File Answer ____________________________ 166

311 FORM AND CONTENT OF ANSWER______________________________ 166 311.01 FORM OF ANSWER ____________________________________________ 166

311.01(a) Format for Answer _______________________________________ 168 311.01(b) Signature of Answer ______________________________________ 168 311.01(c) Filing and Service of Answer _______________________________ 169

311.02 SUBSTANCE OF ANSWER ________________________________________ 169 311.02(a) Admissions and Denials ___________________________________ 171 311.02(b) Affirmative Defenses ______________________________________ 172

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311.02(c) Unpleaded Affirmative Defenses _____________________________ 176 311.02(d) Other Affirmative Pleadings - Amplifying Denials _______________ 177

311.03 REPLY TO ANSWER SHOULD NOT BE FILED _________________________ 177

312 DEFAULT ______________________________________________________ 178 312.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 178 312.02 SETTING ASIDE NOTICE OF DEFAULT ______________________________ 179 312.03 SETTING ASIDE DEFAULT JUDGMENT ______________________________ 180

313 COUNTERCLAIMS______________________________________________ 182 313.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 182 313.02 FEE FOR COUNTERCLAIM _______________________________________ 184 313.03 FORM AND SUBSTANCE OF COUNTERCLAIM; SERVICE OF COUNTERCLAIM _ 185 313.04 COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIMS __________________________________ 186 313.05 PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIMS ___________________________________ 188 313.06 ANSWER TO COUNTERCLAIM ____________________________________ 189

314 UNPLEADED MATTERS_________________________________________ 190

315 AMENDMENT OF PLEADINGS___________________________________ 191

316 MOTIONS RELATING TO PLEADINGS ___________________________ 192

317 EXHIBITS TO PLEADINGS ______________________________________ 192

318 FED. R. CIV. P. 11 APPLICABLE __________________________________ 193

319 AMENDMENT TO ALLEGE USE; STATEMENT OF USE ____________ 194

CHAPTER 400 DISCOVERY

401 IN GENERAL ___________________________________________________ 195

402 SCOPE OF DISCOVERY _________________________________________ 196 402.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 196 402.02 LIMITATIONS ON RIGHT TO DISCOVERY ____________________________ 197

403 TIMING OF DISCOVERY ________________________________________ 199 403.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 199 403.02 TIME FOR SERVICE OF DISCOVERY REQUESTS _______________________ 200 403.03 TIME FOR SERVICE OF DISCOVERY RESPONSES_______________________ 200 403.04 EXTENSIONS OF DISCOVERY PERIOD AND/OR TIME TO RESPOND TO DISCOVERY__________________________________________________________________ 201 REQUESTS _________________________________________________________ 201 403.05 NEED FOR EARLY INITIATION OF DISCOVERY ________________________ 203

403.05(a) To Allow Time for "Follow-up" Discovery _____________________ 203 403.05(b) To Facilitate Introduction of Produced Documents ______________ 203

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404 DISCOVERY DEPOSITIONS _____________________________________ 205 404.01 WHEN AND BY WHOM TAKEN ___________________________________ 205 404.02 WHO MAY BE DEPOSED ________________________________________ 205 404.03 PLACE OF DEPOSITION; ORAL OR WRITTEN DEPOSITION; SECURING ATTENDANCE_______________________________________________________ 206 OF DEPONENT ______________________________________________________ 206

404.03(a) Person Residing in the United States – In General_______________ 206 404.03(a)(1) Person Residing in United States – Party __________________ 206 404.03(a)(2) Person Residing in United States – Nonparty_______________ 206

404.03(b) Person Residing in a Foreign Country – Party__________________ 208 404.03(c) Person Residing in a Foreign Country – Nonparty_______________ 209

404.03(c)(1) Willing Nonparty ____________________________________ 209 404.03(c)(2) Unwilling Nonparty __________________________________ 209

404.03(d) Foreign Person Present Within the United States – Party _________ 213 404.03(e) Foreign Person Present Within the United States – Nonparty ______ 214

404.04 PERSONS BEFORE WHOM DEPOSITIONS MAY BE TAKEN _______________ 215 404.05 NOTICE OF DEPOSITION ________________________________________ 216 404.06 TAKING A DISCOVERY DEPOSITION _______________________________ 217 404.07 DISCOVERY DEPOSITIONS ON WRITTEN QUESTIONS___________________ 218

404.07(a) Depositions on Written Questions: Before Whom Taken__________ 218 404.07(b) Depositions on Written Questions: When Taken ________________ 218 404.07(c) Depositions on Written Questions: Place of Deposition __________ 219 404.07(d) Depositions on Written Questions: Notice of Deposition _________ 219 404.07(e) Depositions on Written Questions: Examination of Witness _______ 220 404.07(f) Depositions on Written Questions: Objections__________________ 221 404.07(g) Depositions on Written Questions: Form of Deposition; Signature _ 222 404.07(h) Depositions on Written Questions: Certification of Deposition ____ 222 404.07(i) Depositions on Written Questions: Service, Correction, and_______ 223 Making the Deposition of Record _____________________________________ 223 404.07(j) Deposition on Written Questions: Utility ______________________ 223

404.08 DISCOVERY DEPOSITION OBJECTIONS _____________________________ 224 404.08(a) Objections to Notice ______________________________________ 224 404.08(b) Objections as to Disqualification of Officer ____________________ 224 404.08(c) Objections During Deposition_______________________________ 225

404.09 DISCOVERY DEPOSITIONS COMPARED TO TESTIMONY DEPOSITIONS ______ 226

405 INTERROGATORIES____________________________________________ 229 405.01 WHEN AND BY WHOM SERVED __________________________________ 229 405.02 SCOPE ______________________________________________________ 229 405.03 LIMIT ON NUMBER ____________________________________________ 229

405.03(a) Description of Limit ______________________________________ 229 405.03(b) Application of Limit: Sets of Interrogatories ___________________ 230 405.03(c) Application of Limit: Multiple Marks, Etc. ____________________ 230 405.03(d) Application of Limit: Counting Interrogatories_________________ 231 405.03(e) Remedy for Excessive Interrogatories_________________________ 233

405.04 RESPONSES TO INTERROGATORIES ________________________________ 235

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405.04(a) Time for Service of Responses_______________________________ 235 405.04(b) Nature of Responses ______________________________________ 236 405.04(c) Signature of Responses ____________________________________ 237

406 REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS ____ 238 406.01 WHEN AND BY WHOM SERVED __________________________________ 238 406.02 SCOPE ______________________________________________________ 238 406.03 ELEMENTS OF REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION; PLACE OF PRODUCTION ______ 239 406.04 RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION ________________________ 240

406.04(a) Time for Service of Responses_______________________________ 240 406.04(b) Nature of Responses ______________________________________ 241

407 REQUESTS FOR ADMISSIONS ___________________________________ 241 407.01 WHEN AND BY WHOM SERVED __________________________________ 241 407.02 SCOPE AND NATURE OF REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION ___________________ 242 407.03 RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION __________________________ 242

407.03(a) Time for Service of Responses_______________________________ 242 407.03(b) Nature of Responses ______________________________________ 243 407.03(c) Signature of Responses ____________________________________ 244

407.04 EFFECT OF ADMISSION _________________________________________ 244

408 DUTIES TO COOPERATE, SEARCH RECORDS, SUPPLEMENT _____ 245 408.01 DUTY TO COOPERATE __________________________________________ 245 408.02 DUTY TO SEARCH RECORDS _____________________________________ 246 408.03 DUTY TO SUPPLEMENT DISCOVERY RESPONSE_______________________ 246

409 FILING DISCOVERY REQUESTS AND RESPONSES WITH BOARD __ 247

410 ASSERTING OBJECTIONS TO REQUESTS FOR DISCOVERY; MOTIONS ATTACKING _______________________________________________________ 248

REQUESTS FOR DISCOVERY________________________________________ 248

411 REMEDY FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE DISCOVERY _______________ 249 411.01 INTERROGATORIES OR REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION___________________ 249 411.02 REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION ______________________________________ 250 411.03 DISCOVERY DEPOSITIONS _______________________________________ 250 411.04 DISCOVERY SANCTIONS ________________________________________ 251

412 PROTECTIVE ORDERS _________________________________________ 251 412.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 251 412.02 PROTECTIVE ORDER REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL AND TRADE SECRET INFORMATION ______________________________________________________ 252

412.02(a) Upon Motion ____________________________________________ 252 412.02(b) Upon Stipulation _________________________________________ 252 412.02(c) In Camera Inspection _____________________________________ 253 412.02(d) Contents of Protective Order _______________________________ 253

412.03 SIGNATURE OF PROTECTIVE ORDER _______________________________ 255 412.04 FILING CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS WITH BOARD ____________________ 255

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412.05 HANDLING OF CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS BY BOARD _________________ 257

413 TELEPHONE AND PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES ___________________ 257

414 SELECTED DISCOVERY GUIDELINES ___________________________ 257

CHAPTER 500 STIPULATIONS AND MOTIONS

501 STIPULATIONS_________________________________________________ 265 501.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 265 501.02 FILING STIPULATIONS __________________________________________ 265 501.03 FORM OF STIPULATIONS ________________________________________ 266

502 MOTIONS--IN GENERAL ________________________________________ 266 502.01 AVAILABLE MOTIONS__________________________________________ 266 502.02 FORM OF MOTIONS AND BRIEFS ON MOTIONS _______________________ 268

502.02(a) Form of Motions _________________________________________ 269 502.02(b) Briefs on Motions ________________________________________ 270 502.02(c) Confidential Information___________________________________ 272

502.03 ORAL HEARINGS ON MOTIONS ___________________________________ 273 502.04 DETERMINATION OF MOTIONS ___________________________________ 273 502.05 ATTORNEYS' FEES, ETC., ON MOTIONS _____________________________ 274 502.06 TELEPHONE AND PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES_________________________ 275

502.06(a) Telephone Conferences ____________________________________ 275 502.06(b) Pre-trial Conferences _____________________________________ 277

502.07 FED. R. CIV. P. 11 APPLICABLE __________________________________ 278

503 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM _________ 278 503.01 TIME FOR FILING______________________________________________ 278 503.02 NATURE OF MOTION ___________________________________________ 279 503.03 LEAVE TO AMEND DEFECTIVE PLEADING___________________________ 280 503.04 MATTERS OUTSIDE THE PLEADING SUBMITTED ON MOTION TO DISMISS ___ 281

504 MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS __________________ 282 504.01 TIME FOR FILING______________________________________________ 282 504.02 NATURE OF MOTION ___________________________________________ 282 504.03 MATTERS OUTSIDE THE PLEADINGS SUBMITTED ON MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON__________________________________________________________________ 283 PLEADINGS ________________________________________________________ 283

505 MOTION FOR A MORE DEFINITE STATEMENT __________________ 284

505.01 NATURE OF MOTION ___________________________________________ 284 505.02 TIME FOR FILING______________________________________________ 285 505.03 FAILURE TO OBEY ORDER FOR MORE DEFINITE STATEMENT ____________ 285

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506 MOTION TO STRIKE MATTER FROM PLEADING_________________ 285 506.01 NATURE OF MOTION ___________________________________________ 285 506.02 TIME FOR FILING______________________________________________ 286 506.03 EXHIBITS ATTACHED TO PLEADINGS ______________________________ 287

507 MOTION TO AMEND PLEADING ________________________________ 287 507.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 287 507.02 AMENDMENTS--GENERAL RULE—FED. R. CIV. P. 15(A)_______________ 289

507.02(a) Timing of Motion to Amend Pleading – In General ______________ 291 507.02(b) Timing of Motion to Amend to Add Counterclaim _______________ 293

507.03 AMENDMENTS TO CONFORM TO THE EVIDENCE -- FED. R. CIV. P. 15(B)___ 294 507.03(a) During Trial After Objection to Trial Evidence _________________ 294 507.03(b) To Add Issues Tried by Express or Implied Consent _____________ 294

508 MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT FOR FAILURE TO ANSWER _ 295

509 MOTION TO EXTEND TIME; MOTION TO REOPEN TIME _________ 296 509.01 NATURE OF MOTIONS __________________________________________ 298

509.01(a) Motions to Extend Time____________________________________ 298 509.01(b) Motions to Reopen Time ___________________________________ 300

509.01(b)(1) In General __________________________________________ 300 509.01(b)(2) To Introduce Newly Discovered Evidence_________________ 302

509.02 FORM AND DETERMINATION OF MOTIONS TO EXTEND OR REOPEN _______ 303

510 MOTION TO SUSPEND; MOTION TO RESUME ____________________ 305 510.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 306 510.02 SUSPENSION PENDING OUTCOME OF ANOTHER PROCEEDING; RESUMPTION 306

510.02(a) Suspension______________________________________________ 306 510.02(b) Resumption _____________________________________________ 309

510.03 SUSPENSION FOR OTHER REASONS; RESUMPTION ____________________ 309 510.03(a) Suspension______________________________________________ 309 510.03(b) Resumption _____________________________________________ 313

511 MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE ____________________________________ 314

512 MOTION TO JOIN OR SUBSTITUTE______________________________ 316 512.01 ASSIGNMENT OF MARK_________________________________________ 316 512.02 CHANGE OF NAME ____________________________________________ 318 512.03 ISSUANCE OF REGISTRATION TO ASSIGNEE, OR IN NEW NAME ___________ 319 512.04 MISIDENTIFICATION ___________________________________________ 321

513 MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS REPRESENTATIVE; PETITION TO DISQUALIFY _______________________________________________________ 321

513.01 MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS REPRESENTATIVE _______________________ 321 513.02 PETITION TO DISQUALIFY _______________________________________ 324

514 MOTION TO AMEND APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION _________ 325 514.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 325

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514.02 AMENDMENT WITH CONSENT____________________________________ 327 514.03 AMENDMENT WITHOUT CONSENT ________________________________ 328 514.04 AMENDMENT TO ALLEGE USE; STATEMENT OF USE___________________ 330

515 MOTION TO REMAND APPLICATION TO EXAMINING ATTORNEY 330

516 MOTION TO DIVIDE APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION __________ 332

517 MOTION TO STRIKE BRIEF ON MOTION ________________________ 333

518 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF DECISION ON MOTION____ 333

519 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO SERVE ADDITIONAL INTERROGATORIES____________________________________________________________________ 335

520 MOTION TO TAKE FOREIGN DEPOSITION ORALLY _____________ 336

521 MOTION TO QUASH NOTICE OF DEPOSITION ___________________ 337

522 MOTION FOR ORDER RE MANNER OR PLACE OF DOCUMENT PRODUCTION ______________________________________________________ 339

523 MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY ______________________________ 339 523.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 339 523.02 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTION _____________________________ 341 523.03 TIME FOR FILING MOTION ______________________________________ 342 523.04 FAILURE TO FILE MOTION TO COMPEL _____________________________ 343

524 MOTION TO TEST SUFFICIENCY OF RESPONSE TO ADMISSION REQUEST __________________________________________________________ 343

524.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 343 524.02 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTION _____________________________ 344 524.03 TIME FOR FILING MOTION_______________________________________ 345 524.04 FAILURE TO FILE MOTION_______________________________________ 345

525 MOTION TO WITHDRAW OR AMEND ADMISSION _______________ 345

526 MOTION FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER ___________________________ 346

527 MOTION FOR SANCTIONS ______________________________________ 348 527.01 MOTION FOR DISCOVERY SANCTIONS______________________________ 348

527.01(a) For Failure to Comply With Board Discovery Order_____________ 348 527.01(b) If Party Says It Will Not Respond to Discovery Request___________ 350 527.01(c) Untimely Response to Discovery Requests _____________________ 351 527.01(d) In the Case of Requests for Admission ________________________ 352 527.01(e) Estoppel Sanction ________________________________________ 352

527.02 MOTION FOR FED. R. CIV. P. 11 SANCTIONS ________________________ 353 527.03 INHERENT AUTHORITY TO SANCTION ______________________________ 357

528 MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ___________________________ 358 528.01 GENERAL NATURE OF MOTION___________________________________ 359 528.02 TIME FOR FILING MOTION ______________________________________ 363 528.03 SUSPENSION PENDING DETERMINATION OF MOTION __________________ 364

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528.04 MISCAPTIONED MOTION ________________________________________ 366 528.05 SUMMARY JUDGMENT EVIDENCE _________________________________ 367

528.05(a) In General ______________________________________________ 367 528.05(b) Affidavits and Accompanying Exhibits ________________________ 368 528.05(c) Discovery Responses ______________________________________ 370 528.05(d) Registrations ____________________________________________ 370 528.05(e) Printed Publications and Official Records _____________________ 371 528.05(f) Testimony from Another Proceeding __________________________ 373

528.06 REQUEST FOR DISCOVERY TO RESPOND TO SUMMARY JUDGMENT________ 373 528.07 UNPLEADED ISSUE ____________________________________________ 376

528.07(a) Not Basis for Entering Summary Judgment ____________________ 376 528.07(b) Not Defense Against Summary Judgment ______________________ 377

528.08 ENTRY OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF NONMOVING PARTY ______ 378

529 MOTION TO OFFER DISCOVERY DEPOSITION OF SELF OR NONPARTY ________________________________________________________ 378

530 MOTION TO USE TESTIMONY FROM ANOTHER PROCEEDING ___ 379

531 MOTION THAT DEPOSITION UPON WRITTEN QUESTIONS BE TAKEN ORALLY ___________________________________________________________ 381

532 MOTION TO STRIKE NOTICE OF RELIANCE _____________________ 382

533 MOTION TO STRIKE TRIAL TESTIMONY DEPOSITION ___________ 383 533.01 ON GROUND OF UNTIMELINESS __________________________________ 383 533.02 ON GROUND OF IMPROPER OR INADEQUATE NOTICE __________________ 384 533.03 WHEN MOTION TO STRIKE SHOULD NOT BE FILED ___________________ 385

534 MOTION FOR JUDGMENT FOR PLAINTIFF'S FAILURE TO PROVE CASE ______________________________________________________________ 385

534.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 385 534.02 MOTION FOR JUDGMENT UNDER TRADEMARK RULE 2.132(A) ___________ 386 534.03 MOTION FOR JUDGMENT UNDER TRADEMARK RULE 2.132(B) ___________ 389 534.04 MOTION UNDER FED. R. CIV. P. 41(B) OR 50(A) NOT AVAILABLE _______ 390

535 MOTION FOR ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE UNDER TRADEMARK RULE 2.134(B) ____________________________________________________________ 390

536 MOTION FOR ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE UNDER TRADEMARK RULE 2.128(A)(3) __________________________________________________________ 391

537 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO EXCEED PAGE LIMIT FOR BRIEF ON CASE____________________________________________________________________ 392

538 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AMICUS BRIEF ___________________ 394

539 MOTION TO STRIKE BRIEF ON CASE____________________________ 395

540 MOTION FOR AUGMENTED PANEL HEARING ___________________ 396

541 MOTION TO CHANGE ORAL HEARING DATE; FOR ADDITIONAL TIME ______________________________________________________________ 397

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541.01 MOTION TO CHANGE ORAL HEARING DATE _________________________ 397 541.02 MOTION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME FOR ORAL ARGUMENT________________ 398

542 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AUDIOTAPE ORAL HEARING___________ 399

543 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF FINAL DECISION _________ 399

544 MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM FINAL JUDGMENT _________________ 400

CHAPTER 600 WITHDRAWAL; SETTLEMENT

601 WITHDRAWAL BY OPPOSITION OR CANCELLATION PLAINTIFF _ 404 601.01 WITHDRAWAL BY OPPOSER _____________________________________ 404 601.02 WITHDRAWAL BY PETITIONER ___________________________________ 405 601.03 EFFECT OF MOTION FOR JUDGMENT _______________________________ 406

602 WITHDRAWAL BY OPPOSITION OR CANCELLATION DEFENDANT 406 602.01 WITHDRAWAL BY APPLICANT____________________________________ 406 602.02 WITHDRAWAL BY RESPONDENT __________________________________ 410

602.02(a) Surrender or Voluntary Cancellation of Registration_____________ 410 602.02(b) Cancellation Under Section 8 or 71; Expiration Under Section 9 or 70________________________________________________________________ 413

603 WITHDRAWAL BY INTERFERENCE OR CONCURRENT USE APPLICANT ________________________________________________________ 417

604 CONSENT TO JUDGMENT_______________________________________ 419

605 SETTLEMENT__________________________________________________ 420 605.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 420 605.02 SUSPENSION FOR SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS ______________________ 420 605.03 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS _____________________________________ 420

605.03(a) In General ______________________________________________ 420 605.03(b) With Amendment of Subject Application or Registration __________ 421 605.03(c) With Amendment of Plaintiff's Pending Application ______________ 423 605.03(d) Breach of Settlement Agreement _____________________________ 423 605.03(e) Effect of Judgment Based Upon Agreement ____________________ 424 605.03(f) Consent Orders __________________________________________ 424

606 EFFECT ON COUNTERCLAIM___________________________________ 425

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CHAPTER 700 TRIAL PROCEDURE AND

INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE

701 TIME OF TRIAL ________________________________________________ 426

702 MANNER OF TRIAL AND INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE – IN GENERAL__________________________________________________________ 429

703 TAKING AND INTRODUCING TESTIMONY_______________________ 431 703.01 ORAL TESTIMONY DEPOSITIONS__________________________________ 431

703.01(a) In General ______________________________________________ 431 703.01(b) Form of Testimony _______________________________________ 432 703.01(c) Time for Taking Testimony _________________________________ 434 703.01(d) Time and Place of Deposition _______________________________ 434 703.01(e) Notice of Deposition ______________________________________ 435 703.01(f) Securing Attendance of Unwilling Adverse Party or Nonparty______ 437

703.01(f)(1) In General __________________________________________ 437 703.01(f)(2) Unwilling Witness Residing in United States_______________ 438 703.01(f)(3) Unwilling Witness Residing in Foreign Country ____________ 439

703.01(g) Persons Before Whom Depositions May be Taken _______________ 439 703.01(h) Examination of Witnesses __________________________________ 441 703.01(i) Form of Deposition and Exhibits _____________________________ 444 703.01(j) Signature of Deposition by Witness ___________________________ 447 703.01(k) Certification and Filing of Deposition ________________________ 448 703.01(l) Testimony Deposition Must be Filed __________________________ 450 703.01(m) Service of Deposition _____________________________________ 450 703.01(n) Correction of Errors in Deposition___________________________ 451 703.01(o) Objections to Testimony Depositions _________________________ 453 703.01(p) Confidential or Trade Secret Material ________________________ 453

703.02 TESTIMONY DEPOSITIONS ON WRITTEN QUESTIONS___________________ 454 703.02(a) Depositions on Written Questions: When Available _____________ 454 703.02(b) Depositions on Written Questions: Before Whom Taken. _________ 455 703.02(c) Depositions on Written Questions: When Taken ________________ 455 703.02(d) Depositions on Written Questions: Place of Deposition __________ 456 703.02(e) Depositions on Written Questions: Notice of Deposition__________ 457 703.02(f) Depositions on Written Questions: Securing Attendance of________ 458 Unwilling Witness _________________________________________________ 458 703.02(g) Depositions on Written Questions: Examination of Witness _______ 458 703.02(h) Depositions on Written Questions: Form, Signature and _________ 460 Certification of Deposition __________________________________________ 460 703.02(i) Depositions on Written Questions: Service, Correction and Filing __ 461 of Deposition_____________________________________________________ 461 703.02(j) Testimony Depositions on Written Questions Must be Filed________ 462 703.02(k) Depositions on Written Questions: Objections to Deposition ______ 462 703.02(l) Depositions on Written Questions: Confidential or Trade Secret ___ 463

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Material_________________________________________________________ 463 703.02(m) Depositions on Written Questions: Utility ____________________ 463

704 INTRODUCING OTHER EVIDENCE ______________________________ 464 704.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 464 704.02 NOTICE OF RELIANCE – GENERALLY ______________________________ 464 704.03 APPLICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS_______________________________ 464

704.03(a) Subject of Proceeding _____________________________________ 464 704.03(b) Not Subject of Proceeding – In General _______________________ 465

704.03(b)(1) Registration Not Subject of Proceeding ___________________ 466 704.03(b)(1)(A) Registration Owned by Party ______________________ 466 704.03(b)(1)(B) Third-Party Registration __________________________ 473

704.03(b)(2) Application Not Subject of Proceeding ___________________ 478 704.04 STATEMENTS AND THINGS IN APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION __________ 479 704.05 EXHIBITS TO PLEADINGS OR BRIEFS _______________________________ 482

704.05(a) Exhibits to Pleadings______________________________________ 482 704.05(b) Exhibits to Briefs _________________________________________ 483

704.06 STATEMENTS IN PLEADINGS OR BRIEFS ____________________________ 484 704.06(a) Statements in Pleadings ___________________________________ 484 704.06(b) Statements in Briefs_______________________________________ 484

704.07 OFFICIAL RECORDS____________________________________________ 485 704.08 PRINTED PUBLICATIONS ________________________________________ 488 704.09 DISCOVERY DEPOSITIONS _______________________________________ 493 704.10 INTERROGATORY ANSWERS; ADMISSIONS __________________________ 497 704.11 PRODUCED DOCUMENTS________________________________________ 502 704.12 JUDICIAL NOTICE _____________________________________________ 505

704.12(a) Kind of Fact That May be Judicially Noticed ___________________ 505 704.12(b) When Taken_____________________________________________ 507 704.12(c) Opportunity to be Heard ___________________________________ 507 704.12(d) Time of Taking Notice _____________________________________ 508

704.13 TESTIMONY FROM ANOTHER PROCEEDING__________________________ 508

705 STIPULATED EVIDENCE________________________________________ 509

706 NONCOMPLYING EVIDENCE ___________________________________ 510

707 OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCE ____________________________________ 510 707.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 510 707.02 OBJECTIONS TO NOTICES OF RELIANCE ____________________________ 511

707.02(a) In General ______________________________________________ 511 707.02(b) On Procedural Grounds ___________________________________ 512

707.02(b)(1) On Ground of Untimeliness ____________________________ 513 707.02(b)(2) On Other Procedural Grounds __________________________ 513

707.02(c) On Substantive Grounds ___________________________________ 514 707.03 OBJECTIONS TO TRIAL TESTIMONY DEPOSITIONS_____________________ 515

707.03(a) In General ______________________________________________ 515 707.03(b) On Procedural Grounds ___________________________________ 516

707.03(b)(1) On Ground of Untimeliness ____________________________ 516

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707.03(b)(2) On Ground of Improper or Inadequate Notice ______________ 516 707.03(c) On Other Procedural Grounds and on Substantive Grounds _______ 518 707.03(d) Refusal to Answer Deposition Question _______________________ 523

707.04 WAIVER OF OBJECTION_________________________________________ 524

CHAPTER 800 BRIEFS ON CASE, ORAL HEARING,

FINAL DECISION

801 BRIEFS ON THE CASE __________________________________________ 526 801.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 526 801.02 TIME FOR FILING______________________________________________ 526

801.02(a) Plaintiff's Main Brief______________________________________ 527 801.02(b) Defendant's Main Brief ____________________________________ 527 801.02(c) Plaintiff's Reply Brief _____________________________________ 528 801.02(d) Reply Brief for Defendant Not Permitted ______________________ 528 801.02(e) Special Situations ________________________________________ 528

801.03 FORM AND CONTENTS OF BRIEF __________________________________ 529 801.04 AMICUS BRIEFS_______________________________________________ 532 801.05 MOTION TO STRIKE BRIEF ON CASE _______________________________ 532

802 ORAL HEARING________________________________________________ 533 802.01 IN GENERAL _________________________________________________ 533 802.02 REQUEST FOR ORAL HEARING ___________________________________ 534 802.03 TIME AND PLACE OF HEARING ___________________________________ 534 802.04 BEFORE WHOM HELD __________________________________________ 535 802.05 LENGTH OF ORAL ARGUMENT ___________________________________ 536 802.06 AUDIOTAPING AND VIDEOTAPING_________________________________ 537 802.07 VISUAL AIDS, ETC. ____________________________________________ 537 802.08 NATURE OF HEARING __________________________________________ 538

803 FINAL DECISION _______________________________________________ 538

804 REQUEST FOR REHEARING, RECONSIDERATION, OR MODIFICATION OF FINAL DECISION _______________________________ 539

805 FINAL DECISION REMAND TO EXAMINING ATTORNEY__________ 539

806 TERMINATION OF PROCEEDING _______________________________ 540

807 STATUS OF APPLICATION AFTER PROCEEDING_________________ 542

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CHAPTER 900 REVIEW OF DECISION OF BOARD

901 APPEALS--IN GENERAL ________________________________________ 543 901.01 AVENUES OF APPEAL __________________________________________ 545 901.02 WHAT MAY BE APPEALED ______________________________________ 546

901.02(a) Final Decision Versus Interlocutory Decision __________________ 546 901.02(b) Judgment Subject to Establishment of Constructive Use __________ 548

902 APPEAL TO COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT ___ 549 902.01 NOTICE OF APPEAL ____________________________________________ 549 902.02 TIME FOR FILING NOTICE OF APPEAL, CROSS-APPEAL _________________ 551 902.03 APPEAL TO FEDERAL CIRCUIT WAIVES APPEAL BY CIVIL ACTION________ 554 902.04 NOTICE OF ELECTION TO HAVE REVIEW BY CIVIL ACTION _____________ 554 902.05 INFORMATION CONCERNING TIMES SPECIFIED IN 37 CFR § 2.145________ 555 902.06 CERTIFIED LIST_______________________________________________ 556 902.07 APPEAL BRIEFS, APPENDIX, ETC. _________________________________ 557 902.08 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EX PARTE CASES _________________________ 557

903 APPEAL BY CIVIL ACTION _____________________________________ 558 903.01 NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION _______________________________________ 558 903.02 PARTIES TO AND SERVICE OF CIVIL ACTION _________________________ 558 903.03 PLACE OF CIVIL ACTION ________________________________________ 559 903.04 TIME FOR FILING CIVIL ACTION, CROSS-ACTION _____________________ 560 903.05 INFORMATION CONCERNING TIMES SPECIFIED IN 37 CFR § 2.145________ 561 903.06 CIVIL ACTION PRECLUDED BY APPEAL TO FEDERAL CIRCUIT ___________ 562 903.07 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EX PARTE CASES _________________________ 562

904 ACCESS TO RECORD DURING APPEAL __________________________ 563 904.01 ACCESS DURING APPEAL TO FEDERAL CIRCUIT ______________________ 563 904.02 ACCESS DURING APPEAL BY CIVIL ACTION _________________________ 563

905 PETITION TO THE DIRECTOR __________________________________ 564

906 STANDARDS OF REVIEW OF BOARD DECISIONS_________________ 567 906.01 APPEAL TO FEDERAL CIRCUIT OR BY CIVIL ACTION___________________ 567 906.02 PETITION TO DIRECTOR_________________________________________ 569

CHAPTER 1000 INTERFERENCES

1001 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 570

1002 DECLARATION OF INTERFERENCE ____________________________ 571

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1003 INSTITUTION OF INTERFERENCE _____________________________ 573

1004 ISSUES IN INTERFERENCE ____________________________________ 575

1005 BURDEN OF PROOF ___________________________________________ 576

1006 ADDITION OF PARTY__________________________________________ 576

1007 CONDUCT OF PROCEEDING ___________________________________ 577

CHAPTER 1100 CONCURRENT USE PROCEEDINGS

1101 IN GENERAL __________________________________________________ 580 1101.01 NATURE OF PROCEEDING ______________________________________ 581 1101.02 CONTEXT FOR USPTO DETERMINATION OF CONCURRENT RIGHTS ______ 582

1102 GENERATION OF PROCEEDING________________________________ 583 1102.01 MEANS OF GENERATION _______________________________________ 583 1102.02 BASES FOR CONCURRENT REGISTRATION – BOARD DETERMINATION; COURT__________________________________________________________________ 584 DETERMINATION ____________________________________________________ 584

1103 REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCURRENT USE APPLICATION________ 585 1103.01 APPLICATION BASED ON BOARD DETERMINATION ___________________ 588

1103.01(a) Application Must Assert Use in Commerce____________________ 588 1103.01(b) Jurisdictional Requirement ________________________________ 589 1103.01(c) Application Must Meet Requirements Applicable to Non-Restricted Application ______________________________________________________ 590 1103.01(d) Application Must Identify Nature and Extent of Restriction Sought_ 591

1103.01(d)(1) In General _________________________________________ 591 1103.01(d)(2) Geographic Restrictions ______________________________ 591 1103.01(d)(3) Mode of Use Restrictions _____________________________ 593

1103.01(e) Application Must Identify Excepted Users and Their Asserted Rights 594 1103.01(f) Other Requirements ______________________________________ 595

1103.02 APPLICATION BASED ON PRIOR BOARD DECISION ___________________ 596 1103.03 APPLICATION BASED ON COURT DETERMINATION ___________________ 599

1104 PARTIES TO PROCEEDING; INVOLVED APPLICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS ___________________________________________________ 601

1105 APPLICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS NOT SUBJECT TO PROCEEDING ______________________________________________________ 603

1106 COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING ___________________________ 605 1106.01 MARKING OF CONCURRENT USE APPLICATION _____________________ 605 1106.02 PUBLICATION OF CONCURRENT USE APPLICATION; OPPOSITION PERIOD__ 606 1106.03 OBTAINING INCLUDED APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION FILES ________ 607

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1106.04 PREPARING CONCURRENT USE NOTICES___________________________ 607 1106.05 LOCATING EXCEPTED USERS ___________________________________ 608

1107 ANSWER; DEFAULT ___________________________________________ 609

1108 ISSUE IN CONCURRENT USE PROCEEDING; BURDEN OF PROOF 611

1109 CONDUCT OF PROCEEDING ___________________________________ 614

1110 SETTLEMENT PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENT REGISTRATION _ 618

1111 EFFECT OF ABANDONMENT OF INVOLVED APPLICATION______ 618

1112 EFFECT OF ADVERSE DECISION IN OPPOSITION OR CANCELLATION ___________________________________________________ 619

1113 "CONVERSION" OF OPPOSITION OR CANCELLATION PROCEEDING TO CONCURRENT USE PROCEEDING _______________________________ 619

1113.01 CONVERSION OF OPPOSITION PROCEEDING_________________________ 619 1113.02 CONVERSION OF CANCELLATION PROCEEDING______________________ 621

1114 ALTERATION OF RESTRICTIONS ON CONCURRENT REGISTRATION____________________________________________________________________ 621

CHAPTER 1200 EX PARTE APPEALS

1201 PROPRIETY OF APPEAL _______________________________________ 623 1201.01 READINESS OF CASE FOR APPEAL ________________________________ 623 1201.02 PREMATURE FINAL ___________________________________________ 625 1201.03 PREMATURE APPEAL__________________________________________ 626 1201.04 COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS NOT SUBJECT OF APPEAL _________ 627 1201.05 APPEAL VERSUS PETITION _____________________________________ 628

1202 FILING AN APPEAL____________________________________________ 631 1202.01 IN GENERAL ________________________________________________ 631 1202.02 TIME FOR APPEAL ____________________________________________ 632 1202.03 NOTICE OF APPEAL ___________________________________________ 634 1202.04 APPEAL FEE ________________________________________________ 635 1202.05 MULTIPLE CLASS APPLICATIONS ________________________________ 636

1203 APPEAL BRIEFS _______________________________________________ 637 1203.01 FORM OF BRIEF______________________________________________ 637 1203.02 TIME FOR FILING BRIEF _______________________________________ 639

1203.02(a) Applicant's Main Brief ___________________________________ 639 1203.02(b) Trademark Examining Attorney's Brief_______________________ 641 1203.02(c) Applicant's Reply Brief ___________________________________ 643 1203.02(d) Extension of Time for Filing Brief___________________________ 643

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1203.02(e) Material Submitted with Briefs _____________________________ 644 1203.02(f) Cases Which May Be Cited ________________________________ 644 1203.02(g) Waiver of Claim or Requirement in Brief _____________________ 645

1204 EFFECT OF REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF FINAL ACTION____________________________________________________________________ 645

1205 AMENDMENT OF APPLICATION DURING APPEAL ______________ 648 1205.01 IN GENERAL ________________________________________________ 648 1205.02 REQUEST TO DIVIDE __________________________________________ 651

1206 AMENDMENT TO ALLEGE USE; STATEMENT OF USE ___________ 652 1206.01 AMENDMENT TO ALLEGE USE __________________________________ 652 1206.02 STATEMENT OF USE __________________________________________ 654

1207 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE DURING APPEAL___________________ 654 1207.01 GENERAL RULE--EVIDENCE SUBMITTED AFTER APPEAL UNTIMELY _____ 654 1207.02 REQUEST TO REMAND FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE __________________ 655 1207.03 EVIDENCE CONSIDERED DUE TO ACTIONS OF NONOFFERING PARTY _____ 658 1207.04 EVIDENCE FILED WITH TIMELY REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION ______ 659 1207.05 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE UPON REMAND FOR NEW REFUSAL _________ 659 1207.06 LETTER OF PROTEST EVIDENCE _________________________________ 660

1208 TREATMENT OF EVIDENCE ___________________________________ 661 1208.01 EVIDENCE FROM NEXIS DATABASE OR PUBLICATIONS _______________ 663 1208.02 THIRD-PARTY REGISTRATIONS __________________________________ 664 1208.03 INTERNET MATERIAL _________________________________________ 665 1208.04 JUDICIAL NOTICE ____________________________________________ 666

1209 REMAND______________________________________________________ 667 1209.01 UPON BOARD'S OWN INITIATIVE ________________________________ 667 1209.02 UPON REQUEST BY TRADEMARK EXAMINING ATTORNEY _____________ 671 1209.03 UPON GRANTED LETTER OF PROTEST_____________________________ 672 1209.04 UPON REQUEST BY APPLICANT__________________________________ 673

1210 APPROVAL FOR PUBLICATION DURING APPEAL _______________ 674

1211 ABANDONMENT DURING APPEAL _____________________________ 674

1212 CANCELLATION OR ASSIGNMENT OF CITED REGISTRATION___ 675

1213 SUSPENSION OF APPEAL ______________________________________ 675

1214 CONSOLIDATION _____________________________________________ 678

1215 ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS ____________________________________ 679

1216 ORAL HEARING_______________________________________________ 680

1217 FINAL DECISION ______________________________________________ 683

1218 REOPENING (AMENDMENT, ETC., AFTER FINAL DECISION) ____ 684

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1219 REVIEW OF FINAL DECISION __________________________________ 686 1219.01 BY REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION_____________________________ 686 1219.02 BY APPEAL _________________________________________________ 687

APPENDIX OF FORMS

APPENDIX OF FORMS ______________________________________________ 688 CERTIFICATE OF MAILING SUGGESTED FORMAT ____________________________ 688 CERTIFICATE OF TRANSMISSION SUGGESTED FORMAT _______________________ 688 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE SUGGESTED FORMAT ____________________________ 689 DESIGNATION OF DOMESTIC REPRESENTATIVE _____________________________ 689 SAMPLE TRIAL ORDER -- STANDARD_____________________________________ 689 SAMPLE TRIAL ORDER WITH A COUNTERCLAIM ____________________________ 690 TERMS OF SUGGESTED PROTECTIVE AGREEMENT UPON STIPULATION ___________ 691 SAMPLE BRIEFING SCHEDULE FOR A CASE WITH A COUNTERCLAIM ______________ 698 SAMPLE TRIAL ORDER FOR INTERFERENCE ________________________________ 699 SAMPLE TRIAL ORDERS FOR CONCURRENT USE ____________________________ 701 NOTICE OF APPEAL – SUGGESTED FORMAT ________________________________ 703

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ___________________________________________ 705 CASES ____________________________________________________________ 705 STATUTES _________________________________________________________ 742 RULES ____________________________________________________________ 743

Federal Rules ____________________________________________________ 743 Federal Circuit Rules ____________________________________________ 743 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ___________________________________ 743 Federal Rules of Evidence ________________________________________ 745

Trademark Rules__________________________________________________ 746 OTHER AUTHORITIES _________________________________________________ 753

Articles _________________________________________________________ 753 Treatises ________________________________________________________ 755 Official Publications _______________________________________________ 756

Federal Register ________________________________________________ 756 Official Gazette_________________________________________________ 756 Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure __________________________ 757

Miscellaneous ____________________________________________________ 758

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SUBJECT MATTER INDEX __________________________________________ 759

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Chapter 100 GENERAL INFORMATION

101 Applicable Authority

101.01 Statute and Rules of Practice All proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("TTAB" or "Board") are governed by the Lanham Trademark Act of 1946, as amended, ("Act of 1946" or "Act"), 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.; the rules of practice in trademark cases (commonly known as the Trademark Rules of Practice), which may be found in Parts 2 and 7 of Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR"); the rules pertaining to assignments in trademark cases, which may be found in Parts 3 and 7 of 37 CFR; and the rules relating to representation of others before the United States Patent and Trademark Office which may be found in Part 10 of 37 CFR. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO” or “Office”) rules governing procedure in inter partes proceedings before the Board are adapted, in large part, from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with modifications due primarily to the administrative nature of Board proceedings.1 A copy of Title 37 of the CFR may be obtained at a nominal cost from the U.S. Government Printing Office. Title 37 of the CFR may also be found on the Internet at the Government Printing Office web site at: www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr or at the USPTO web site at: www.uspto.gov. Information regarding proposed and final rule changes to Title 37 is also posted on the Office web site at www.uspto.gov. 101.02 Federal Rules Inter partes proceedings before the Board are also governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("Fed. R. Civ. P."), except as otherwise provided in the Trademark Rules of Practice, and "wherever applicable and appropriate";2 and by the Federal Rules of Evidence ("Fed. R. Evid.").3

1 See Yamaha International Corp. v. Hoshino Gakki Co., 840 F.2d 1572, 6 USPQ2d 1001, 1004 (Fed. Cir. 1988). 2 See 37 CFR § 2.116(a). 3 See 37 CFR §§ 2.116(a), 2.120(a), and 2.122(a); Young v. AGB Corp., 152 F.3d 1377, 47 USPQ2d 1752, 1753 n.3 (Fed. Cir. 1998); and Cerveceria India Inc. v. Cervecevia Centroamericana, S.A., 10 USPQ2d 1064 (TTAB 1989), aff’d, Centroamericana, S.A. v. Cerveceria India, Inc., 892 F.2d 1021, 13 USPQ2d 1307, 1311 (Fed. Cir. 1989) (In applying the burden of proof provisions of Fed. R. Evid. 301, the court stated “[t]he Federal Rules of Evidence generally apply to TTAB proceedings.”).

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Chapter 100 GENERAL INFORMATION

There is no provision in the Trademark Rules of Practice concerning the applicability of the Federal Rules of Evidence to ex parte appeals before the Board. However, certain of the principles embodied in the Federal Rules of Evidence are applied by the Board, in practice, in evaluating the probative value of evidence submitted in ex parte cases.4 101.03 Decisional Law Proceedings before the Board are also governed, to a large extent, by precedential decisions in prior cases. These decisions include those of the Board itself, as well as the decisions of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (which determines appeals from decisions of the Board); the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (predecessor of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit); and the Director of The United States Patent and Trademark Office (formerly the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks), who determines petitions seeking review of Board actions on procedural matters. Decisions of the Board, the Director, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit appear in the United States Patent Quarterly ("USPQ"), a periodical publication of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington, D.C., and may also be found in Reed Elsevier, Inc.'s "LEXIS" legal database, and in the Intellectual Property Library of West Publishing Company's WESTLAW database. Decisions that are designated by the Board "citable as precedent" or "for publication in full" are citable as precedent. Decisions which are not so designated, or which are designated for publication only in digest form, are not citable authority.5 A nonprecedential or digest decision will, however, be considered in determining issues of claim preclusion, issue preclusion, judicial estoppel, law of the case, or the like, provided that (1) a party to the pending Board proceeding, or its privy, was also a party to the prior proceeding, and (2) a complete copy of the decision is submitted.6

4 See In re Omaha National Corp., 819 F.2d 1117, 2 USPQ2d 1859, 1860 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (articles from general and business publications are not hearsay and are probative of descriptive usage); In re Broadway Chicken, Inc., 38 USPQ2d 1559, 1565 (TTAB 1996) (listings from telephone directories and Dun & Bradstreet databases are not inadmissible hearsay); and In re American Olean Tile Co., 1 USPQ2d 1823, 1824 n.2 (TTAB 1986) (affidavit consisting of third-hand report by unidentified person is inadmissible hearsay). See also In re Foundry Products, Inc., 193 USPQ 565 (TTAB 1976). For further information concerning the treatment of evidence in Board ex parte proceedings, see TBMP § 1208 and authorities cited therein. 5 See In re Polo International, Inc., 51 USPQ2d 1061, 1063 n.3 (TTAB 1999) (non-precedential case disregarded); In re Catepillar Inc., 43 USPQ2d 1335, 1336 (TTAB 1997) citing General Mills Inc. v. Health Valley Foods, 24 USPQ2d 1270, 1275 n.9 (TTAB 1992); and In re American Olean Tile Co., supra at 1825 n.3 (published digests do not indicate the facts on which the determinations were based). See also Marcon, Ltd. v. Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc., 221 USPQ 644, 645 n.4 (TTAB 1984) and Roberts Proprietaries, Inc. v. Rumby International, Inc., 212 USPQ 302, 303 (TTAB 1981). 6 See General Mills Inc. v. Health Valley Foods, supra.

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101.04 Director’s Orders and Notices Occasionally, the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office or another USPTO official acting under the Director’s authority, publishes in the Official Gazette an Order or Notice relating to a particular Office policy, practice, procedure, or other such matter of interest to the public. Some of these Orders and Notices affect practice and procedure before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Such notices are also posted on the Office’s web site at www.uspto.gov.

102 Nature of Board Proceedings

102.01 Jurisdiction of Board

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is an administrative tribunal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office within the Office of General Counsel. The Board is empowered to determine only the right to register.7 The Board is not authorized to determine the right to use, nor may it decide broader questions of infringement or unfair competition.8

7 See Sections 17, 18, 20, and 24 of the Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1067, 1068, 1070, and 1092. 8 See Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co. v. Advantage Rent-A-Car Inc., 62 USPQ2d 1857, 1858 (TTAB 2002), aff'd, 300 F.3d 1333, 66 USPQ2d 1811 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (no jurisdiction to decide issues arising under state dilution laws); Person's Co. v. Christman, 900 F.2d 1565, 14 USPQ2d 1477, 1481 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (cannot adjudicate unfair competition issues); Carano v. Vina Concha Y Toro S.A., 67 USPQ2d 1149 (TTAB 2003) (no jurisdiction to determine copyright infringement; opposer's claim that applicant neither owns nor is entitled to use mark was not separable from opposer's copyright claim); Ross v. Analytical Technology Inc., 51 USPQ2d 1269, 1270 n.2 (TTAB 1999) (no jurisdiction over unfair competition claims); Paramount Pictures Corp. v. White, 31 USPQ2d 1768, 1771 n.5 (TTAB 1994) (no jurisdiction over claims of trademark infringement and unfair competition) aff'd (unpub'd), 108 F.3d 1392 (Fed. Cir. 1997); Kelly Services Inc. v. Greene's Temporaries Inc., 25 USPQ2d 1460, 1464 (TTAB 1992) (not empowered to render declaratory judgment); Andersen Corp. v. Therm-O-Shield Int'l, Inc., 226 USPQ 431, 432 n.5 (TTAB 1985) (may not entertain any claim based on Section 43(a) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)); Electronic Water Conditioners, Inc. v. Turbomag Corp., 221 USPQ 162, 163-64 (TTAB 1984) (unfair competition and Section 43(a) claims are outside the Board's jurisdiction); Hershey Foods Corp. v. Cerreta, 195 USPQ 246, 252 (TTAB 1977) (determination of whether opposer is guilty of unfair business practices is not within the province of the Board); Yasutomo & Co. v. Commercial Ball Pen Co., 184 USPQ 60, 61 (TTAB 1974) (no jurisdiction to address anti-trust issues); and American-International Travel Service, Inc. v. AITS, Inc., 174 USPQ 175, 179 (TTAB 1972) (no jurisdiction to determine whether opposer violated criminal statute). But see Loglan Institute Inc. v. Logical Language Group Inc., 962 F.2d 1038, 22 USPQ2d 1531, 1534 (Fed. Cir. 1992) (Board may have erred in stating that it lacked jurisdiction over equitable defenses which were based on allegations of trademark infringement and unfair competition); Selva & Sons, Inc. v. Nina Footwear, Inc., 705 F.2d 1316, 217 USPQ 641, 647 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (regarding Board's authority to consider an agreement, its construction, or its validity if necessary to decide the issues properly before it, including the issue of estoppel); and Knickerbocker Toy Co. v. Faultless Starch Co., 467 F.2d 501, 175 USPQ 417, 423 (CCPA 1972) (Board is not precluded from passing on the validity of a copyright if it is necessary to do so in the course of the exercise of its statutory

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Similarly, the Board, being an administrative tribunal, has no authority to declare any portion of the Act of 1946, or any other act of Congress, unconstitutional.9 102.02 Types of Board Proceedings The Board has jurisdiction over four types of inter partes proceedings, namely, oppositions, cancellations, interferences, and concurrent use proceedings. An opposition is a proceeding in which the plaintiff seeks to prevent the issuance of a registration of a mark on the Principal Register. "Any person who believes that he would be damaged by the registration of a mark" may file an opposition thereto, but the opposition may be filed only as a timely response to the publication of the mark, under Section 12(a) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1062(a), in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.10 A cancellation proceeding is a proceeding in which the plaintiff seeks to cancel an existing registration of a trademark. A petition for cancellation may only be filed after the issuance of the registration. A petition for cancellation may be filed by "any person who believes that he is or will be damaged by the registration" of the mark.11

jurisdiction); M-5 Steel Mfg. Inc. v. O'Hagin's Inc., 61 USPQ2d 1086 (TTAB 2001) (contractual estoppel considered); Boral Ltd. v. FMC Corp., 59 USPQ2d 1701, 1702 (TTAB 2000) (noting that by rule change effective August 5, 1999, the 1946 Act was amended to allow parties to bring dilution claims under Section 43(c) in opposition and cancellation proceedings); and British-American Tobacco Co. v. Philip Morris Inc., 55 USPQ2d 1585, 1589 (TTAB 2000) (a claim under Article 8 of the Pan American Convention is within the jurisdiction of the Board since it pertains expressly to the registrability of marks and provides for the cancellation of registrations). See also The Scotch Whiskey Association v. United States Distilled Products Co., 13 USPQ2d 1711, 1715 (TTAB 1989), recon. denied, 17 USPQ2d 1240, 1243 (TTAB 1990) (Board cannot consider claims of unfair competition standing alone, but can consider such claims in determining the registrability of a mark, that is, in determining a separate, properly pleaded ground for opposition or cancellation), dismissed, 18 USPQ2d 1391, 1394 (TTAB 1991) (where petitioner did not plead a separate ground on which to base the petition to cancel, petitioner's claims under Articles 10 and 10bis of the Paris Convention could not be considered), rev'd on other grounds, 952 F.2d 1317, 21 USPQ2d 1145 (Fed. Cir. 1991).

9 See Harjo v. Pro-Football, Inc., 50 USPQ2d 1705, 1710 (TTAB 1999) (no authority to declare provisions of the Act unconstitutional nor to determine whether Section 2(a) is overbroad or vague), rev'd on other grounds, 284 F. Supp. 2d 96, 68 USPQ2d 1225 (D.D.C. 2003) and Zirco Corp. v. American Telephone and Telegraph Co., 21 USPQ2d 1542, 1544 (TTAB 1991) (no jurisdiction to determine whether Section 7(c) of the Act, the constructive use provision, violates the commerce clause of the constitution). See also, for example, Capital Speakers Inc. v. Capital Speakers Club of Washington, D.C. Inc., 41 USPQ2d 1030, 1034 n.3 (TTAB 1996) (no authority to determine whether private activities rendered to members of private club constitute "commerce"). 10 See Section 13 of the Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1063. 11 See Sections 14 and 24 of the Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1064 and 1092.

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An interference is a proceeding in which the Board determines which, if any, of the owners of conflicting applications (or of one or more applications and one or more registrations which are in conflict), is entitled to registration.12 The proceeding is declared by the Office only upon petition to the Director showing extraordinary circumstances therefor, that is, that the party who filed the petition would be unduly prejudiced without an interference.13 Ordinarily, the availability of an opposition or cancellation proceeding is deemed to prevent any undue prejudice from the unavailability of an interference proceeding.14 An interference that has been declared by the Director is not instituted by the Board until after all of the marks that are to be involved in the proceeding have been published in the Official Gazette for opposition.15 A concurrent use proceeding is a proceeding in which the Board determines whether one or more applicants is entitled to a concurrent registration, that is, a registration with conditions and limitations, fixed by the Board, as to the mode or place of use of the applicant's mark or the goods and/or services on or in connection with which the mark is used (usually, a concurrent registration is restricted as to the territory which it covers).16 The proceeding may be generated only through the filing of an application for registration as a lawful concurrent user, and is instituted by the Board only after each of the one or more involved applications has been published for opposition in the Official Gazette, and all oppositions thereto (if any) have been withdrawn or dismissed.17 The Board also has jurisdiction over ex parte appeals, that is, appeals from an examining attorney's final refusal to register a mark in an application.18

12 See Section 18 of the Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1068. 13 See Section 16 of the Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1066; 37 CFR § 2.91; and TBMP § 1002 (Declaration of Interference). 14 See 37 CFR § 2.91(a). 15 See TBMP § 1003 (Institution of Interference). For further information concerning interference proceedings, see TBMP chapter 1000. 16 See TBMP § 1101.01 and authorities cited therein. 17 See TBMP §§ 1102.01 (Means of Generation) and 1105 (Applications and Registrations not Subject to Proceeding), and authorities cited therein. For further information concerning concurrent use proceedings, see TBMP chapter 1100. 18 See Sections 12(b) and 20 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1062(b) and 1070; 37 CFR §§ 2.141 and 2.142; and TBMP chapter 1200 (Ex Parte Appeals). See also, e.g., In re Sunmarks, Inc., 32 USPQ2d 1470, 1472 (TTAB 1994) citing In re BankAmerica Corp., 231 USPQ 873 (TTAB 1986).

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102.03 General Description of Board Proceedings An inter partes proceeding before the Board is similar to a civil action in a Federal district court. There are pleadings (at least in an opposition or cancellation proceeding); a wide range of possible motions; discovery; and briefs, followed by a decision on the case.19 However, because the Board is an administrative tribunal, its rules and procedures necessarily differ in some respects from those prevailing in the Federal district courts.20 The principal difference is that proceedings before the Board are conducted in writing, and the Board's actions in a particular case are based upon the written record therein. For example, the Board does not preside at the taking of testimony. Rather, all testimony is taken out of the presence of the Board during the assigned testimony periods, and the written transcripts thereof, together with any exhibits thereto, are then filed with the Board. Indeed, a party to a proceeding before the Board need never come to the offices of the Board at all, unless the Board requests that the parties meet with the Board at its offices for a pre-trial conference pursuant to 37 CFR § 2.120(i)(2), or unless the party wishes to argue its case at oral hearing (an oral hearing is held only if requested by a party to the proceeding). An ex parte appeal, being appellate in nature, is a much simpler and shorter procedure, involving only the filing of briefs by the applicant and examining attorney, and, if requested by the applicant, an oral hearing. The Board includes both interlocutory attorneys and administrative trademark judges (known also as Board members). Interlocutory motions, requests, and other matters not actually or potentially dispositive of a proceeding may be acted upon by a single Board judge or by a single interlocutory attorney to whom such authority has been delegated.21 Decisions on the case, and on complex or contested motions that are potentially dispositive of the case, are rendered by a panel of at least three Board judges.22 Stipulations or consented (or uncontested) motions to dispose of the proceeding in a certain manner may be decided per curiam by the Board.

19 See Yamaha International Corp. v. Hoshino Gakki Co., 840 F.2d 1572, 6 USPQ2d 1001, 1004 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (USPTO rules governing the procedures are designed to approximate the proceedings in a courtroom trial). 20 See Yamaha International Corp. v. Hoshino Gakki Co., supra at 1004. See also La Maur, Inc. v. Bagwells Enterprises, Inc., 193 USPQ 234, 235 (Comm’r 1976). Cf. TBMP §§ 502.01 (Available Motions) and 702 (Manner of Trial and Introduction of Evidence). 21 See 37 CFR § 2.127(c). 22 See, e.g., 37 CFR §§ 2.129(a) and 2.142(e)(1).

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103 Location and Address of Board The Board is located at 2900 Crystal Drive, Ninth Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3514. The mailing address of the Board is Commissioner for Trademarks, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3514.23

104 Business to be Conducted in Writing 37 CFR § 2.191 All business with the Office should be transacted in writing. The personal appearance of applicants or their representatives at the Office is unnecessary. The action of the Office will be based exclusively on the written record. No attention will be paid to any alleged oral promise, stipulation, or understanding in relation to which there is disagreement or doubt. All business with the Board should be transacted in writing. The personal attendance of parties or their attorneys or other authorized representatives at the offices of the Board is unnecessary, except in the case of a pre-trial conference as provided in 37 CFR § 2.120(i)(2), or upon oral argument at final hearing, if a party so desires, as provided in 37 CFR § 2.129. Decisions of the Board will be based exclusively on the written record before it.24

105 Contact With Board Personnel 37 CFR § 10.93(b) In an adversary proceeding, including any inter partes proceeding before the Office, a practitioner shall not communicate, or cause another to communicate, as to the merits of the cause with a judge, official, or Office employee before whom the proceeding is pending, except:

(1) In the course of official proceedings in the cause. (2) In writing if the practitioner promptly delivers a copy of the writing to opposing counsel or to the adverse party if the adverse party is not represented by a practitioner. (3) Orally upon adequate notice to opposing counsel or to the adverse party if the adverse party is not represented by a practitioner.

(4) As otherwise authorized by law. Parties or their attorneys or other authorized representatives may telephone the Board, or come to the offices of the Board, to inquire about the status of a case or to ask for procedural information, but not to discuss the merits of a case or of any particular issue. The telephone number of the

23 Mail box designations (BOX TTAB) and fee notations (FEE – NO FEE) are no longer required. 24 Cf. In re Sovran Financial Corp., 25 USPQ2d 1537, 1538 (Comm'r 1992) (regarding actions taken by examining attorneys); In re Merck & Co., 24 USPQ2d 1317, 1318 n.2 (Comm'r 1992) (regarding oral representation by Board employee); and In re Investigacion Y Desarrollo de Cosmeticos S.A., 19 USPQ2d 1717 (Comm'r 1991).

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Board is (703) 308-9300. If an inquiry involves a particular case, the person making the inquiry should be prepared to give the number of the proceeding or application in question.

106 Identification, Signature, and Form of Submissions 106.01 Identification of Submissions

A document filed in a proceeding before the Board should bear at its top the heading "IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD," followed by the name and number of the inter partes proceeding (or, in the case of an ex parte appeal, the application) to which it relates.25 The document should also include a title describing its nature, e.g., "Notice of Opposition," "Answer," "Motion to C