37 CFR 2.71
Amendments to correct informalities.

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§2.71 Amendments to correct informalities.

The applicant may amend the application during the course of examination, when required by the Office or for other reasons.

(a)

The applicant may amend the application to clarify or limit, but not to broaden, the identification of goods and/or services. (b)(1) If the declaration or verification of an application under § 2.33 is unsigned or signed by the wrong party, the applicant may submit a substitute verification or declaration under § 2.20.

(2)

If the declaration or verification of a statement of use under § 2.88, or a request for extension of time to file a statement of use under § 2.89, is unsigned or signed by the wrong party, the applicant must submit a substitute verification before the expiration of the statutory deadline for filing the statement of use.

(c)

The applicant may amend the dates of use, provided that the applicant supports the amendment with an affidavit or declaration under § 2.20, except that the following amendments are not permitted:

(1)

In an application under section 1(a) of the Act, the applicant may not amend the application to specify a date of use that is subsequent to the filing date of the application;

(2)

In an application under section 1(b) of the Act, after filing a statement of use under § 2.88, the applicant may not amend the statement of use to specify a date of use that is subsequent to the expiration of the deadline for filing the statement of use.

(d)

The applicant may amend the application to correct the name of the applicant, if there is a mistake in the manner in which the name of the applicant is set out in the application. The amendment must be supported by an affidavit or declaration under § 2.20, signed by the applicant. However, the application cannot be amended to set forth a different entity as the applicant. An application filed in the name of an entity that did not own the mark as of the filing date of the application is void.