uspto.gov
Skip over navigation

USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct

The USPTO has published a final rule implementing the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct (USPTO Rules).  This rule replaces the USPTO Code of Professional Responsibility and conforms to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct of the American Bar Association, versions of which have been adopted by 49 states and the District of Columbia.  The new USPTO Rules streamline practitioners’ professional responsibility obligations, making the USPTO obligations align with most practitioners’ state bar requirements. 

Final Rule (Federal Register Notice)

Final Rule (doc- Microsoft Word)

ABA and USPTO Rule Comparison Chart (pdf- Adobe Acrobat)

Proposed vs. Final USPTO Rule Comparison Chart (pdf- Adobe Acrobat)

USPTO Press Release

USPTO Director’s Blog

Link to Proposed Rule and Comments 

Speaking Engagements

  • McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP – Webinar
    “Harmonization of USPTO Ethical Standards in the Post-AIA Era”
    May 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.  
    Open to the public, all attendees must register in advance.
    For general inquiries, contact Andrew Williams at williams@mbhb.com
  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago  – Webinar
    May 21, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.  
    Open to the public.
    For general inquiries, contact Daniel Gurfinkel at dgurfinkel@dennemeyer-law.com or call (312) 380-6504.
  • Greater Richmond Intellectual Property Law Association (GRIPLA) Meeting – Webinar Click here for presentation slides.
    McGuireWoods LLP
    901 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219
    May 15, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.  
    Open to the public, but CLE credit is restricted to dues paying members.
    For general inquiries, contact Janet Peyton at jpeyton@mcguirewoods.com or call (804) 775-1166.
  • Virginia CLE Seminar Click here for presentation slides.
    105 Whitewood Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901
    April 4, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.  
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For general inquiries, contact Brian Bill at brian.j.bill@vacle.org or call (434) 951-0054.
  • The Intellectual Property Section of the Colorado Bar Association
    Building 5, Grand Canyon Conference Room
    500 Eldorado Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80021
    March 5, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.  
    Open to the public
    For general inquiries, contact Daniel Sherwinter at dsherwinter@mfblaw.com or call (720) 562-5511
  • Advanced Intellectual Property Law
    Four Seasons Hotel Austin
    98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78701
    February 14, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.  
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For general inquiries, contact Katherine Minardi at kminardi@texasbar.com or call (512) 427-1799.
  • Annual Corporate Intellectual Property Law Conference
    Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Hotel
    350 West Mart Drive, Chicago, IL 60654
    February 13, 2013 at 8:00 a.m.
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For general inquiries, contact Megan Buckley at (312) 644-6762.
  • Boston Patent Law Association
    “Ethics Tales, Issues and New Rules: Straight from the OED”
    Anthony’s Pier 4 Restaurant
    140 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
    February 12, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.  
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For general inquiries, please email kmorgan@sunsteinlaw.com
  • Patent and Trademark Office Day
    Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC
    December 10, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For general inquiries, contact meetings@ipo.org or call (202) 507-4500
  • University of Notre Dame The Law School
    1100 Eck Hall of Law, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
    December 4, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
    Open to the public
    For more information, please contact Jodi Clifford at Joanne.E.Clifford.20@nd.edu or (574) 631-1148.
  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
    “Intellectual Property and Public Rights of Access: The Evolving 21st Century Balance”
    530 West New York Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 (Wynne Courtroom and Conour Atrium, Inlow Hall)
    November 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
    Open to the public, all attendees must register.
    For more information, please contact Professor John R. Schaibley at jrschaib@iu.edu or (317) 278-4736.
  • University of Washington School of Law
    William H. Gates Hall
    4293 Memorial Way  Seattle, WA 98195
    (206) 543-4551
    November 14, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
    Open to the public
    Please RSVP by November 7th, 2012 to annaba@uw.edu
    Washington PowerPoint Presentation
  • Rutgers School of Law – Newark
    123 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102
    November 13, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
    (Open to the public)
    For more information, please contact Professor John R. Kettle at jkettle@kinoy.rutgers.edu or (973) 353-3257
    Rutgers PowerPoint Presentation
  • 2012 AIPLA Annual Meeting
    “Most Important Changes Under the AIA – Laws, Rules, and Best Practices”
    2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
    October 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
    (Open to the public, all attendees must register)
    AIPLA PowerPoint Presentation
  • Michigan IP Inn of Court
    U.S. Courthouse for the Eastern District of Michigan
    231 West Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan 48226
    October 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
This page is owned by Office of General Counsel.
Last Modified: 5/16/2013 11:51:13 AM