[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 127 (Friday, July 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38639-38640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16605]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No. PTO-T-2011-0009]


Trademark Board Manual of Procedure, Third Edition

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') 
issued the third edition of the Trademark Board Manual of Procedure 
(``TBMP'') on May 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The USPTO prefers that any suggestions for improving the 
form and content of the TBMP be submitted via electronic mail message 
to [email protected]. Written comments may also be 
submitted by mail addressed to: Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, P.O. 
Box 1451, Alexandria, VA 22313-1451, marked to the attention of Angela 
Lykos, Administrative Trademark Judge and Editor, Trademark Board 
Manual of Procedure, or by hand delivery to the Trademark Assistance 
Center, Concourse Level, James Madison Building-East Wing, 600 Dulany 
Street, Alexandria, Virginia, marked to the attention of Angela Lykos, 
Administrative Trademark Judge and Editor, Trademark Board Manual of 
Procedure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS NOTICE CONTACT: Angela Lykos, 
Administrative Trademark Judge, by electronic mail at: 
[email protected]; or by mail addressed to: Trademark Trial and 
Appeal Board, P.O. Box 1451, Alexandria, VA 22313-1451, marked to the 
attention of Angela Lykos. Do not use the [email protected] e-mail 
address to submit suggestions for improving the form or content of the 
TBMP. Instead, use the e-mail address noted above: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    On May 6, 2011, the USPTO issued the third edition of the TBMP, 
which provides Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (``TTAB'') judges and 
attorneys, trademark applicants and registrants, and attorneys and 
representatives for trademark applicants and registrants a 
comprehensive reference on the practices and procedures for inter 
partes and ex parte proceedings before the TTAB. The guidance provided 
by the manual does not have the force and effect of law. Its guidelines 
have been developed as a matter of internal Office

[[Page 38640]]

management and are not intended to create any right or benefit, 
substantive or procedural, enforceable by any party against the Office. 
While following the guidelines in the manual will aid parties and their 
attorneys in navigating the procedures applicable to inter partes 
cases, parties and their attorneys are also free to discuss and agree 
to various alternative processes that may prove more efficient and 
economical. These Accelerated Case Resolution options are discussed in 
various sections of the manual and current information on these options 
is available at the TTAB web page: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/appeal/index.jsp.
    The third edition incorporates TTAB practice, changes to the 
Trademark Rules of Practice, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 
Federal Rules of Evidence where relevant, and case law reported prior 
to November 15, 2010. The policies stated in this edition supersede any 
previous policies stated in prior editions or any other statement of 
USPTO policy, to the extent that there is any conflict. The TBMP may be 
viewed or downloaded free of charge from the TTAB home page of the 
USPTO Web site at the address noted above.

    Dated: June 20, 2011.
David J. Kappos,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2011-16605 Filed 6-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P