T.M.E.P. § 304.07
Signature of Electronic Mail

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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304.07 Signature of Electronic Mail

An applicant, registrant or attorney may sign an e-mail communication by entering a "symbol" that he or she has adopted as a signature between two slashes. See 37 C.F.R. §§2.33(d) and 2.193(c)(1)(iii)(A) and TMEP §804.05 regarding signature of electronically-filed documents.

In addition, the USPTO will accept an e-mail communication containing the "/s/" ("/(signature)/") notation in lieu of a signature.

A scanned image of a document signed in ink is also acceptable, as long as the image is attached in .jpg format.

Under 37 C.F.R. 10.18(b), the use of an electronic signature under 37 C.F.R. §§2.33(d) and 2.193(c)(1)(iii)(A) or an "/s/" notation, will be understood to constitute a certificate that:

(1) The correspondence has been read by the applicant, registrant or attorney;

(2) The filing of the correspondence is authorized;

(3) To the best of the signatory's knowledge, information, and belief, there is good ground to support the correspondence; and

(4) The correspondence is not presented for purposes of delay.