T.M.E.P. § 302
Trademark Correspondence and Signature Requirements - In General

Executive summary:

This document contains one section of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (the "TMEP"), Fourth Edition (April 2005). This page was last updated in June 2007. You may return to one either the section index, or to the key word index. If you wish to search the TMEP, simply use the search box that appears on the bottom of every page of BitLaw--be sure to restrict your search to the TMEP in the pop-up list.

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302 Trademark Correspondence and Signature Requirements - In General

Extract from 37 C.F.R. 2.193.

(a) Since each file must be complete in itself, a separate copy of every document to be filed in a trademark application, trademark registration file, or proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board must be furnished for each file to which the document pertains, even though the contents of the documents filed in two or more files may be identical. Parties should not file duplicate copies of correspondence, unless the Office requires the filing of duplicate copies. The Office may dispose of duplicate copies of correspondence.

(b) Since different matters may be considered by different branches or sections of the Office, each distinct subject, inquiry or order must be contained in a separate document to avoid confusion and delay in answering correspondence dealing with different subjects.

(c)(1) Each piece of correspondence that requires a person's signature, must:

(i) Be an original, that is, have an original signature personally signed in permanent ink by that person; or

(ii) Be a copy, such as a photocopy or facsimile transmission (§2.195(c)), of an original. In the event that a copy of the original is filed, the original should be retained as evidence of authenticity. If a question of authenticity arises, the Office may require submission of the original; or

(iii) Where an electronically transmitted trademark filing is permitted or required, the person who signs the filing must either:

(A) Place a symbol comprised of numbers and/or letters between two forward slash marks in the signature block on the electronic submission; or

(B) Sign the verified statement using some other form of electronic signature specified by the Director.

(2) The presentation to the Office (whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating) of any document by a party, whether a practitioner or non-practitioner, constitutes a certification under §10.18(b) of this chapter. Violations of §10.18(b)(2) of this chapter by a party, whether a practitioner or non-practitioner, may result in the imposition of sanctions under §10.18(c) of this chapter. Any practitioner violating §10.18(b) may also be subject to disciplinary action. See §§10.18(d) and 10.23(c)(15).

(d) When a document that is required by statute to be certified must be filed, a copy, including a photocopy or facsimile transmission, of the certification is not acceptable.

The USPTO recommends filing through TEAS whenever possible. See TMEP §301. Trademark documents may also be sent through the United States Postal Service ("USPS"), delivered by a courier service, or hand carried to the USPTO. Except for documents listed in TMEP §306.01 , correspondence may be transmitted by facsimile ("fax"). (Note that a trademark application may not be filed by fax, but can be filed through TEAS. 37 C.F.R. §§2.195(d)(1) and 2.197(a)(2)). Certain documents can be sent through electronic mail ("e-mail").

See TMEP §§304 et seq. regarding e-mail, TMEP §§305 et seq. regarding mailing documents to the USPTO, TMEP §§306 et seq. regarding fax transmission, and TMEP §307 regarding hand delivery.