On February 7, 2020 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) released the “Mandatory Electronic Filing and Specimen Requirements” Examination Guide. These new guidelines will go into effect on February 15, 2020 and appear to be designed to reduce fraudulent filings at the PTO. Most notably, the PTO will be requiring all trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to a proceeding at [...]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this week announced that, beginning August 3, 2019, it will require all foreign-domiciled trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings to be represented by an attorney licensed to practice law in the United States. This new rules package is intended to: (1) increase compliance with U.S. trademark law [...]

Perhaps the most common question we receive from clients is: “What is an appropriate specimen for supporting use of my trademark?” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has very strict rules regarding materials appropriate as specimen for trademarks, which are required for use-based applications and post-registration filings, such as Declarations of Use. Website [...]