U.S. Trademark Attorneys Now Required for All U.S. Trademark Matters.
Alexandria, Virginia, July 21, 2019 — U.S. Trademark Attorneys will now be required for all foreign trademark applicants and registrants under a new rule issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, located in Alexandria, Virginia. The new rule amends the Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases, the Rules of Practice in Filings Pursuant to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and the rules regarding Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office to require applicants, registrants, or parties to a trademark proceeding whose domicile is not located within the United States or its territories to be represented by an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state in the U.S.
When does the new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rule take effect?
The new rule is effective on August 3, 2019. As of that date, all trademark applicants, trademark registrants, or parties to a trademark proceeding whose domicile is not located within the U.S. or its territories must be represented by an attorney licensed in the United States who is an active member in good standing of the bar.
Why did the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issue this new rule?
According to the USPTO, the requirement that only qualified U.S. attorneys represent foreign entities in trademark matters will (1) instill greater confidence in the public that U.S. registrations that issue to foreign applicants are not subject to invalidation for reasons such as improper signatures and use claims and (2) enable the USPTO to more effectively use available mechanisms to enforce foreign applicant compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements in trademark in trademark matters.
How can I contact a U.S. Trademark Attorney?
Webster Book LLP, located in Alexandria, Virginia near the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, offers a free initial consultation for these matters. If you would like to discuss your U.S. trademark needs with a U.S. licensed trademark attorney, please fill out the form below or call Steven T. Webster at 888-987-9991.