Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 2 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 6 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 7 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to trademarks regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 1 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 3 pertaining to both patents and trademarks is placed in the grouping pertaining to patents regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 4 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

Editorial Note on Subchapter A of Chapter I
Editorial Note: Part 5 is placed in the separate grouping of parts pertaining to patents regulations.

§ 41.106 Filing and service. ( a ) *General format requirements.* ( 1 ) The paper used for filings must be durable and white. A party must choose to file on either A4-sized paper or 81 ⁄ 2 inch × 11 inch paper except in the case of exhibits that require a larger size in order to preserve details of the original. A party may not switch between paper sizes in a single proceeding. Only one side of the paper may be used.
( 2 ) In papers, including affidavits, created for the proceeding: ( i ) Markings must be in black ink or must otherwise provide an equivalently permanent, dark, high-contrast image on the paper. The quality of printing must be equivalent to the quality produced by a laser printer. Either a proportional or monospaced font may be used, but the proportional font must be 12-point or larger and a monospaced font must not contain more than 4 characters per centimeter (10 characters per inch). Case names must be underlined or italicized.
( ii ) Double spacing must be used except in headings, tables of contents, tables of authorities, indices, signature blocks, and certificates of service. Block quotations may be single-spaced and must be indented. Margins must be at least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) on all sides.
( b ) *Papers other than exhibits* — ( 1 ) *Cover sheet.* ( i ) The cover sheet must include the caption the Board specifies for the proceeding, a header indicating the party and contact information for the party, and a title indicating the sequence and subject of the paper. For example, “JONES MOTION 2, For benefit of an earlier application”.
( ii ) If the Board specifies a color other than white for the cover sheet, the cover sheet must be that color.
( 2 ) Papers must have two 0.5 cm (1 ⁄ 4 inch) holes with centers 1 cm (1 ⁄ 2 inch) from the top of the page and 7 cm (23 ⁄ 4 inch) apart, centered horizontally on the page.
( 3 ) *Incorporation by reference; combined papers.* Arguments must not be incorporated by reference from one paper into another paper. Combined motions, oppositions, replies, or other combined papers are not permitted.
( 4 ) *Exhibits.* Additional requirements for exhibits appear in § 41.154(c).
( c ) *Working copy.* Every paper filed must be accompanied by a working copy marked “APJ Copy”.
( d ) *Specific filing forms* — ( 1 ) *Filing by mail.* A paper filed using the Priority Mail Express® service of the United States Postal Service will be deemed to be filed as of “date accepted” on the Priority Mail Express® mailing label; otherwise, mail will be deemed to be filed as of the stamped date of receipt at the Board.
( 2 ) *Other modes of filing.* The Board may authorize other modes of filing, including electronic filing and hand filing, and may set conditions for the use of such other modes.
( e ) *Service.* ( 1 ) Papers filed with the Board, if not previously served, must be served simultaneously on every opposing party except as the Board expressly directs.
( 2 ) If a party is represented by counsel, service must be on counsel.
( 3 ) Service must be by Priority Mail Express® or by means at least as fast and reliable as Priority Mail Express®. Electronic service is not permitted without Board authorization.
( 4 ) The date of service does not count in computing the time for responding.
( f ) *Certificate of service.* ( 1 ) Papers other than exhibits must include a certificate of service as a separate page at the end of each paper that must be served on an opposing party.
( 2 ) Exhibits must be accompanied by a certificate of service, but a single certificate may accompany any group of exhibits submitted together.
( 3 ) A certificate of service must state: ( i ) The date and manner of service,
( ii ) The name and address of every person served, and
( iii ) For exhibits filed as a group, the name and number of each exhibit served.
( 4 ) A certificate made by a person other than a registered practitioner must be in the form of an affidavit.
[69 FR 50003, Aug. 12, 2004, as amended at 79 FR 63043, Oct. 22, 2014; 88 FR 78650, Nov. 16, 2023]