iscellaneous Changes to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Rules
other · US Patent and Trademark Office · Published 1998-09-09 · 63 FR 48081
Document
Document number
98-23680
Federal Register citation
63 FR 48081
CFR reference
37 CFR 2
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
other
Sub-agency
US Patent and Trademark Office
Publication date
1998-09-09
Commerce docket
Docket No. 970428100-8199-03
Abstract
The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is amending the rules governing practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board). The amendments provide for the opening and the length of the discovery period; specify that the automatic disclosure provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply to Board proceedings; state that the Board will not hold any person in contempt or award any expenses to any party; specify requirements for briefs on motions; enlarge the time for filing a response to a motion for summary judgment; specify the time for filing motions under Rule 56(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (motions for discovery to enable parties to respond to motions for summary judgment); and specify the time for filing motions to compel and motions to test the sufficiency of an answer or objection to a request for admission. In addition, the amendments clarify the rules, conform the rules to current practice, simplify practice, and correct cross-references.