December 7th, 2021 | Updated on June 25th, 2022
The official action comes from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). An examining attorney would include legal issues with your trademark and the application in this document. Before they may register your trademark, you must settle any legal issues raised in the office action.
The examining attorney could demand a trademark office action response example in the form of a written answer in some instances.
In contrast, in others, the office action could also suggest emailing or phoning the examining attorney to resolve minor legal issues.
Step 1: Identify The Type Of Office Action
The patent examiner’s reservations about the claims are often expressed in an office action, indicating that none, some, or all pending claims are allowed. “Final” and “non-final” office actions are the two most common sorts of activities.
Nothing with the patent office is ever actually final; you must pay only extra costs for changing claims in response to a “final office action” is worth noting.
Non Final office action for the first time causes a legal issue with your application. Please reply to this letter within six months of when it was sent.
You must resolve any issues raised by the non final office action in your answer before your application may go on to registration.
As a result, you will be given a final office action if your response fails to address all issues. Your answer may prompt a new non final office action from the examiner, which will include a new problem, as well as any earlier refusals and requirements.
Finally, the final office action raises a legal issue with your application once and for all! If the examining attorney has previously questioned you, you won’t obtain a final office action until all legal matters have been presented.
You have one last option to respond as soon as you get the final office action. Your application will proceed to registration if your answer to the final office action fulfills each legal issue.
It will be thrown out unless you promptly submit an appeal with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Applicants often submit an appeal to the TTAB and directly respond to the final office decision.
Step 2: Respond Using The Stated Method.
A quick response is the most crucial thing you can do in response to an office action, regardless of what caused it.
As soon as the office action is issued, you should begin contacting trademark lawyers so that you may plan and file your response well in advance of the deadline.
Respond Va TEAS
The Trademark Electronic Application System allows you to answer online (TEAS).
To respond on notice, you must use the proper TEAS format. The USPTO won’t accept your submission unless the right person signs it.
You may use the TEAS Response to Office Action form for non final office actions. On another note, fill out the Final Action form and submit the Request for Reconsideration form if you’ve been issued a final office action.
The USPTO will send you a notice of incomplete response if the incorrect person signs it (someone who isn’t authorized to sign on your behalf).
You must sign TEAS response forms according to the following guidelines:
If you don’t have a lawyer, and you are a/an:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Anyone with a corporate title could sign the document.
- Corporation applicants – The signatures are limited to corporate officers like secretary, vice president, president, and treasurer.
- Joint applicants – Every applicant involved must put their signatures
- Partnership applicant – A general partner’s signature is required for the response.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – Your partner may sign the work.
- Individual applicant – Only you could sign the papers
“Business manager” and “Trademark administrator” are examples of titles that may imply that a signer is not authorized.
If you have hired an attorney, they must sign the response upon submission. Only lawyers who are members in good standing of the bar of the highest court in a U.S. territory or state and licensed to practice law in the United States may represent you before the USPTO and sign answers.
Canada’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) reciprocally recognizes Canadian trademark agents and lawyers, although the USPTO will only communicate with a US-licensed attorney when responding to a request.
Your trademark application and any subsequent registration might be in danger if you hire someone prohibited from practicing before the USPTO.
An electronic signature is acceptable as long as the physical signature of whoever accompanies it signs the submission.
Respond Via Email Or Phone
For example, an examining attorney may ask you to contact or email them to fix minor legal issues with your application, such as defining your services or products, in certain office activities. This method is often used to expedite the trademark registration procedure.
As a result, all email interactions between you and the USPTO will be included in your application record and made public on the USPTO’s website.
As part of the investigation, an examining attorney will often provide facts to justify rejection or a demand. An examining attorney may use third-party registrations to demonstrate that a company owner owns several connected products.
To establish that a particular phrase is always disclaimed in the registered trademarks for certain commodities since it simply describes those items, third-party registries may be employed.
You have the option of arguing against the examining attorney’s evidence and analysis in response to each rejection or requirement.
It’s possible to show that the commodities at issue aren’t connected based on how they are used within an area or industry, even why specific language isn’t descriptive.
You may also present proof from your research to back up your thoughts. For example, you might describe the market or sector your products are used.
It’s also possible to send in hard copies of any promotional documents or materials you have to demonstrate the workings of your profession or company.
A rejection or a requirement that you object to should be supported by detailed, fact-based reasons for the examining attorney’s withdrawal of the refusal or demand. Include whatever proof you have to back up your claim. Avoid too broad or conclusive statements that lack evidence.
You may adopt the resolution or phrase suggested by the examiner if you agree to rejection or requirement. Trademark authorities won’t offer a proposal if the applicant cannot remedy the demand.
Outlook
You may avoid some of the most typical problems with trademark applications if you hire a knowledgeable trademark lawyer. A company owner who chooses to file their taxes independently is at risk of selecting an incorrect filing basis.
The owner may rely too much on the advice of the USPTO Examining Attorney or deliver a wrong trademark specimen. In addition, an application that is incorrectly submitted may not be enforceable and may be subject to revocation.
Don’t forget to notify your lawyer about the trademark you want to protect. Furthermore, knowing how any labor outside of the scope of the flat-fee agreement will be billed is critical if you want to know exactly how much you’ll be charged.
