An ethics blog for IP attorneys
For many years, I have had countless communications with patent and trademark lawyers regarding expanding their law firms through partnering with non-lawyers. This might include working with patent agents, as well as venture capital firms. Each of these, though have their own considerations, and are briefly discussed below. These inquiries for ethics advice have only […]
Read MoreOED Announces Delay of Practitioner CLE Certification & Biennial Registration
On December 16, 2021, the USPTO will officially announce a delay in the implementation of the voluntary CLE certification program for registered practitioners, and those granted limited recognition. This follows a delay in the biennial registration statement, which will be implemented on November 1, 2024. As these two submissions would work in concert, we understand […]
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You have passed the patent bar after months of hard work and studying the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. “[H]owever, you are not being registered at this time…” The letter goes on to explain that, because of your answers on the PTO FORM-158 (Application for Registration), the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline […]
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Following a recent report issued by the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, as well as a plethora of recent disciplinary actions published by the USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline, many practitioners have done a retrospective analysis of their trademark practices with clients and agencies in China. But is it time to give […]
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Last week, we provided commentary regarding a scathing report issued by the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce (“OIG”). Since that time, the USPTO published a blog post, penned by Drew Hirshfeld, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director, and David Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks. […]
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On August 11, 2021, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce (“OIG”), which oversees the USPTO, issued a scathing report on the state of the USPTO’s control over the integrity of the Trademark Register. The report discussed a number of areas of concern, including the enforcement of the U.S. Counsel rule, as well as […]
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As we noted in a prior post, the USPTO has gone on record allowing U.S. practitioners to partner with foreign attorneys by way of ownership of law firms, without violating the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct. However, practitioners continue to be surprised when they are told that practitioner relationships with foreign associates and agents outside […]
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One of the most common questions we receive from practitioners relates to response periods. As a threshold matter, the OED operates under a strict one-year statute of limitations. As such, there is a clear reason for why a staff attorney is often reticent to provide an extension of time to respond to OED’s correspondence. However, […]
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On June 10, 2021, the USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline will announce its intention to delay by two years its previously-published requirement for biennial mandatory “registration statements” from all registered patent attorneys and agents. The USPTO’s announcement has no impact on trademark attorneys. Last year, the USPTO published a final rule stating that the […]
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On May 26, 2021, the USPTO clarified its position that U.S. “practitioners”—who, by definition, include only United States-barred attorneys and USPTO registered patent attorneys and agents—may form partnerships and co-own law firms with non-U.S. attorneys without violating the USPTO’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The USPTO guidance was included in the agency’s Final Rulemaking, the purpose […]
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