Source: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/trademark-trial-and-appeal-board/index-estta-forms
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:31:48+00:00

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File a trademark application and other documents online through TEAS.
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File documents in a board proceeding.
Browse the forms in each category below. Select each form to learn when and how to use it.
After you’ve read the information below and prepared to file, go to ESTTA to submit your filing.
All submissions must be filed through ESTTA. It is your responsibility to prepare and file your submissions in advance of any applicable deadline. The filing date is the date of electronic receipt in the Office and the office’s electronic receipt takes place shortly after the filer selects “Submit” on the final screen.
In the event that ESTTA is unavailable due to technical problems, or when extraordinary circumstances are present, extensions of time to oppose an application and notices of oppositions filed under Trademark Act § 1 or § 44, petitions for cancellation and notices of appeal may be filed in paper. A Petition to the Director under 37 CFR § 2.146 with the required showing and the prescribed fees must accompany the submission filed in paper.
Applications to register marks under the Madrid Protocol are governed by Trademark Act § 66, et seq. Because of the strict time limits involved, paper filing is never an option with Madrid applications. Requests for extensions of time to oppose, and notices of opposition, against Trademark Act § 66 applications MUST be filed through ESTTA. Once the opposition is commenced, however, all other submissions may be filed in the same manner as any other opposition. For information concerning applications filed under Trademark Act § 66, see TMEP Chapter 1900. See TBMP § 309.03(a)(1) for limitations on the scope of a notice of opposition against such an application (limiting grounds, and goods and services, to only those identified in the ESTTA-generated cover sheet).
Filers may call the TTAB with questions about filing at (571) 272-8500 or (800) 786-9199 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Alternatively, filers may send non-urgent email inquiries to ESTTA@uspto.gov, and include a description of the problem, the “ESTTA Tracking Number” and the proceeding number (if any), and a telephone number for contact. The Board will respond to email inquiries within two business days. Board personnel cannot guarantee that any filing issue will be resolved prior to a deadline.
Prior to registration on the Principal Register, all marks are published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Official Gazette is available on the USPTO website.
If you believe you would be damaged by the registration of a mark on the Principal Register, you may file a notice of opposition within thirty days after the date the mark is published in the Official Gazette (“opposition period”). A “potential opposer” may request an extension of time to file an opposition, and must file the request prior to the expiration of the 30-day opposition period. Further extensions of time to oppose must be filed prior to any extension that was previously granted to the potential opposer.
You may file a first request for either a thirty-day extension of time, which will be granted upon request, or a ninety-day extension of time, which will be granted upon payment of the prescribed fee and for good cause shown.
If you were granted an initial thirty-day extension of time, you may file a request for an additional 60-day extension of time, which will be granted upon payment of the prescribed fee and for good cause shown.
After receiving one or two extensions of time totaling ninety days, you may file one final request for an extension of time for an additional 60 days. The Board will grant this request only upon consent of the applicant or upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
No further extensions of time to file an opposition will be granted under any circumstances. There is no option to suspend the deadline to file a notice of opposition. ESTTA only presents extension options that are available to the potential opposer.
An extension of time to oppose is a personal right accorded to the person or entity to which it was granted. Therefore, a second or subsequent extension request or a notice of opposition may only be filed by a potential opposer to whom a previous extension was granted, or by one who is in privity (a relationship who successively have a legal interest in the same right or property) with such a person. See TBMP § 206.02.
Do not use ESTTA to file a request to amend or abandon an application that is subject to an extension of time to oppose. Such filings must be submitted through TEAS.
For more information on requests for extension of time to oppose, see Trademark Act § 13; 37 CFR § 2.102; TBMP Chapter 200.
A potential opposer whose previously granted extension has not yet expired, should use this form to notify the TTAB that it will not oppose.
TTAB will immediately forward the application that was the subject of the request of extension for issuance of a registration certificate or notice of allowance, as appropriate. See TBMP § 217.
An applicant who receives notification from the Board that a request for extension of time to oppose has been granted should use this form to submit objections to the granting of any further extensions of time to the potential opposer. In such case, the objections will be considered by the TTAB in determining any subsequent request filed by the potential opposer, for an extension of time to oppose.
Any submission objecting to a request for an extension of time to oppose, or to the granting of any further extensions of time to oppose, should clearly state the reason for the objection. See TBMP § 210.
If an applicant or potential opposer is dissatisfied with an action of the TTAB on a request for an extension of time to oppose, it should use this form to file a request for reconsideration of the action, clearly stating the reasons for the request. The request should be filed promptly after the filing party receives or becomes aware of a TTAB action. See TBMP § 211.01.
Do not use ESTTA to file petitions to the Director. These must be filed using the online petition form in the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). For more information on the Petition to the Director procedure, see TMEP Chapter 1700.
Use these options to file a new notice of opposition, a new petition for cancellation, or an appeal from a final refusal to register. Choose the appropriate filing and enter the serial number of the application to be opposed, the registration number of the registration to be cancelled, or the serial number of the application that is subject to the appeal.
A proper pleading for a notice of opposition or petition for cancellation contains a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the [filer] is entitled to relief.” The pleading attached to the ESTTA form should state, in brief numbered paragraphs, facts which if proven would establish that the opposer or petitioner has (1) standing to oppose registration or to petition for cancellation; and (2) an available legal ground for opposition or cancellation. The filer does not have to actually prove these allegations at this time, but must have a good faith belief in their truth.
If the plaintiff owns a common-law mark which is not depicted in an application, it must attach an image of the mark in JPEG format. The image should be formatted for 8cm x 8cm at 300 dpi resolution.
If the common-law mark comprises words only, (i.e., no stylization or a design), the mark may be typed into the ESTTA form. If the mark is not capable of visual representation, e.g., scent or sound marks, the user must provide a description of the mark.
When filing any notice of opposition or petition to cancel, if one or both of the parties to a proceeding are involved in another proceeding before the Board, or in a federal or state civil court, the filer should inform the Board using the “Proceedings Involving the Same or Similar Marks” field. However, providing this information does not relieve a party of the necessity of taking any appropriate action, such as filing an answer.
For more information on pleadings, see 37 CFR §§ 2.101, 2.104, 2.122(c)-(d); Fed. R. Civ. P. 7, 8-11; TBMP Chapter 300.
If you believe that you would be damaged by the registration of a mark on the Principal Register, you may file a notice of opposition.
The ESTTA form presents a list of available grounds for opposition, and prompts the filer to attach the notice of opposition document, and to submit the required filing fee. 37 CFR § 2.6(a)(17) sets forth the required fee.
For more information on notices of opposition, see Trademark Act § 13; 37 CFR §§ 2.101 - 2.107; TBMP Chapter 300.
A petition for cancellation of a trademark registration may be filed at any time. However, a mark which has been registered for more than five years may only be cancelled on the grounds enumerated in Trademark Act § 14.
The ESTTA form presents a list of available grounds for cancellation, and prompts the filer to attach the petition for cancellation document, and to submit the required filing fee. 37 CFR § 2.6(a)(16) sets forth the required fee.
For more information on petitions for cancellation, see Trademark Act § 14; 37 CFR §§ 2.111-2.115; TBMP Chapter 300.
An applicant for registration of a trademark may appeal to the Board from any final refusal to register its mark, and can initiate an appeal by filing a timely notice of appeal with the Board, with the required fee. 37 CFR § 2.6(a)(18) sets forth the required fee.
To be timely, an appeal must be filed within six months from the date of the final refusal. Note that the filing of a request for reconsideration of the final refusal pursuant to Trademark Rule 2.63(b) does not automatically or in itself extend or toll the time to file a notice of appeal.
ESTTA will not permit the filing of a notice of appeal if the USPTO records indicate an application status that is not appropriate for appeal (e.g., if a final refusal has not been issued), or if the appeal would be untimely. If you believe the USPTO records are incorrect, contact the Trademark Assistance Center, (571) 272-9250 or (800) 786-9199. If the matter cannot be resolved within the time to appeal, you may file a timely notice of appeal on paper accompanied by a written explanation of such technical problems or extraordinary circumstances.
NOTE: The proper procedure for filing appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or to a U.S. District Court is set forth in Trademark Rule 2.145. Forms for filing an appeal from a final Board decision or a request for reconsideration of a final Board decision in an ex parte case may be found under “Ex Parte Appeal (general filings).” For more information on ex parte appeals, see 37 CFR §§ 2.141 - 2.142; and TBMP Chapter 1200.
During the period between a final action and expiration of the time for filing an appeal, you may request the trademark examining attorney to reconsider the final action. The form for filing a request for reconsideration after final action is available through TEAS.
Does not extend the time for filing an appeal.
If a request for reconsideration has been filed, but not acted upon by the expiration of the time to appeal, the applicant must file a timely appeal through ESTTA if the applicant wishes to preserve its right to appeal.
If a request for reconsideration has been filed, be sure to check the box on the ESTTA form to indicate this, so that the Board may suspend the appeal pending the examining attorney’s consideration of the request for reconsideration.
For more information on requests for reconsideration, see Trademark Rule 2.63(b); TBMP §§ 1201.01, 1204; TMEP §§ 715.03; 715.04.
Use these options to file documents (motions, briefs, etc.) in an already existing opposition, cancellation, concurrent use, or appeal proceeding. Choose a “Type of filing” and enter the opposition number (91xxxxxx), cancellation number (92xxxxxx), concurrent use number (94xxxxxx), or application serial number (7xxxxxxx or 8xxxxxxx) to which your filing applies.
Use this option only to file: submissions in existing opposition or cancellation proceedings, including answers, counterclaims, motions, testimony, stipulations, and briefs.
Do not use this option to file extensions of time to oppose, notice of appeal from a final refusal to register, notices of opposition, or petitions for cancellation.
To aid the Board in entry and prompt consideration of filings, the forms require the user to accurately identify each filing. ESTTA presents titles for the most common filings. Choose the option that most closely identifies your filing. If your filing embodies two or more motions, choose the primary or most significant motion. If no title identifies your filing, you may select the “general filings” form.
When using ESTTA, and periodically throughout a proceeding, all applicants and parties should assure that the record in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System (TTABVUE) indicates their current and correct street address AND email address(es). The Board sends confirmation of ESTTA filings, notice of orders and all other correspondence via email to any applicant or party who has provided an email address. The Board does not send a hard copy.
For more information regarding correspondence in Board matters, see TBMP § 117.
Use one of these forms to file an answer, answer and counterclaim (requires a counterclaim fee), answer to a counterclaim, a motion to amend a pleading or an amended pleading, a motion for default judgment, a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), or a motion for relief from entry of default judgment.
Do not use these forms to file an initial complaint (use forms available under “File a new proceeding” instead).
Use one of these forms to file a brief in opposition or response to a motion, a reply brief in support of a motion, a motion for summary judgment, a motion to compel discovery or disclosure, a motion to strike, a motion to strike a notice of reliance, a motion to strike testimony, a motion to strike a pleading or affirmative defense, a motion to quash, a response to a Board order or inquiry, a motion for discovery sanctions, a motion for disclosure sanctions, a motion for sanctions (not discovery) pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, a motion for sanctions on other grounds, a motion to dismiss pursuant to Trademark Rule 2.132 for failure to take testimony, or a request for the Board’s participation in the parties’ discovery conference pursuant to Trademark Rule 2.120(a)(2)(i).
Use one of these forms to file a notice of reliance, a stipulation of facts, a notice of taking testimony, testimony, a brief on the merits, a rebuttal (reply) brief on the merits or a request for an oral hearing at final decision on the merits.
To file consented motions to extend the time to answer, to extend discovery or trial dates, to suspend for settlement, or to suspend pending disposition of a civil action, use one of the forms under "Consent Motions (opposition or cancellation)."
Use one of these forms to file a stipulated or consented motion to extend not currently available under the Consent Motions (opposition or cancellation) form, stipulated or consented motion to reopen, unconsented motion to extend, unconsented motion to reopen, motion to suspend pending disposition of a civil action, or a motion to suspend for settlement discussions.
Use one of these forms to file a withdrawal of an opposition, withdrawal of a petition for cancellation, withdrawal of a counterclaim, withdrawal of application or voluntary surrender of registration (in an inter partes case), or a motion for relief from entry of final judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 60.
Use one of these forms to file an appeal or cross appeal of a final Board decision in an inter partes case, a request for reconsideration of a final Board decision in an inter partes case, or a request for reconsideration of a non-final Board order in an inter partes case.
Use one of these forms only when your submission is not accurately described by any of the other forms that are available.
Use this option to file all submissions in an ex parte appeal proceeding except the notice of appeal itself (Use “Appeal of Refusal to Register” Form for filing the notice of appeal itself). Such submissions include-but are not limited to-motions to extend or suspend the time for filing briefs, requests for oral hearing, requests for remand and appeals from a Board decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or to a district court.
One common use of the consented motion to extend, or suspend, forms is to secure an extension or suspension of the next deadline in the Board’s schedule, such as the deadline to file an answer, to serve initial disclosures or to serve expert disclosures, or the close of discovery.
These forms are also used to extend or suspend the deadlines to serve pretrial disclosures, the trial or briefing periods or to suspend proceedings pending disposition of a civil action involving one or both parties in the Board proceeding that may have a bearing on the Board case.
Parties should call the TTAB Assistance Center if the current dates displayed in the schedule are not updated to the latest dates approved by TTAB. TTAB personnel can easily update the current dates to allow parties to proceed using the Consent Motions options.
Most consent motions to extend or suspend dates for proceedings instituted less than two years from the filing date of the motion will be approved automatically. The resulting order issued by ESTTA should be checked carefully to ensure that the parties receive the new deadline or schedule they anticipated when making the filing. If any deadline or dates in the resulting order do not comport with the parties' expectations or create uncertainty about the schedule for the case, then the parties should strongly consider filing a superseding stipulation or agreed-upon motion through the "Opposition, Cancellation or Concurrent Use (general filings)" filing option. Consent motions filed after two years from the institution date requires review by a TTAB staff member and will not be automatically granted.
The "Opposition, Cancellation or Concurrent Use (general filings)" filing option can always be used when the parties wish to be very particular about agreed-upon deadlines or schedules, and should be used when the "Consent Motions" filing option does not result in the new deadline or schedule to which the parties agreed.
Use the “Change of Address” form to change or update an applicant’s, a party’s, or a legal representative’s correspondence street, and/or email correspondence address, or phone number. For more information regarding correspondence in Board matters, see TBMP § 117.
If representation has been established by the filing of a power of attorney, and thereafter another attorney or other authorized representative wishes to appear on behalf of the party, a new power of attorney is required to change the attorney of record. This must be filed using one of the forms under either the inter partes “General Filings” option or the ex parte “General Filings” option. See TBMP §§ 114.03 and 116.
Use the “CONFIDENTIAL Opposition, Cancellation or Concurrent Use Filings” form to submit a confidential motion, exhibit, or other filing.
The Board's standard protective order for the protection of confidential material is automatically imposed and in effect in all opposition, cancellation, and concurrent use proceedings, and is available on the Board’s home page.
The parties may agree to an alternative order. They must file the alternative order for the Board's approval. See 37 CFR § 2.116(g); and TBMP § 412.
Except for materials properly designated and filed as confidential, all proceeding files and exhibits thereto are available for public inspection and copying. Therefore, only the particular portions of a brief, pleading motion or other submission that discloses confidential information should be filed under seal pursuant to a protective order. If a party submits any brief, pleading, motion or other filing that contains confidential information under seal, the party must also submit for the public record a carefully and appropriately redacted copy of the submission.
The Board may treat as not confidential any material which cannot reasonably be considered confidential, notwithstanding a designation as such by a party. 37 CFR § 2.116(g).
All filings in Board proceedings are viewable via TTABVUE except confidential filings, which are not available for public viewing. An entry in the prosecution history will designate the title of any confidential filing and the date it was filed.
For more information regarding the protective order and confidential filings, see 37 CFR §§ 2.27, 2.116(g), 2.126(c); and TBMP §§ 412.04, 412.05.
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