10.101 Action as a public official.
- (a) A practitioner who holds public office shall not:
- (1) Use the practitioner’s public position to obtain, or attempt to obtain, a special advantage in legislative matters for the practitioner or for a client under circumstances where the practitioner knows or it is obvious that such action is not in the public interest.
- (2) Use the practitioner’s public position to influence, or attempt to influence, a tribunal to act in favor of the practitioner or of a client.
- (3) Accept any thing of value from any person when the practitioner knows or it is obvious that the offer is for the purpose of influencing the practitioner’s action as a public official.
- (b) A practitioner who is an officer or employee of the United States shall not practice before the Office in patent cases except as provided in § 10.10 (c) and (d).
[Added 50 FR 5181, Feb. 6, 1985, effective Mar. 8, 1985; para. (b) amended, 54 FR 6520, Feb. 13, 1989]