New guidance on PTAB and TTAB paneling procedures

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USPTO Alert

New guidance on PTAB and TTAB paneling procedures

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Kathi Vidal has issued new guidance on Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) paneling procedures.  

This new guidance ensures that PTAB and TTAB judges and management are able to make fully informed decisions in empaneling cases. The guidance directs PTAB and TTAB management to avoid empaneling a judge on a case if the judge or the judge’s spouse or minor children holds stock or bonds (publicly traded or privately held) in any of the disclosed parties or real parties in interest, regardless of the dollar value. This guidance will take effect in 60 days and will apply to all proceedings that are paneled on or after that effective date.

To read the full guidance, please visit our website.

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