507.03(a)    During Trial After Objection to Trial Evidence

If evidence is objected to at trial on the ground that it is not within the issues raised by the pleadings, the Board, upon motion, may allow the pleadings to be amended (except as prohibited by 37 CFR § 2.107 ) and will do so freely when the presentation of the merits of the case will be served thereby and the objecting party fails to satisfy the Board that the admission of such evidence would prejudice it in maintaining its action or defense upon the merits. [ Note 1.] See TBMP § 315 (Amendment of Pleadings) and TBMP § 507.01 regarding amendment of pleadings in an opposition against a Trademark Act § 66(a), 15 U.S.C. § 1141f(a)  application.

The motion for leave to amend should be filed promptly by the party offering the evidence after the objection is made by an adverse party. If the motion is granted, the Board may extend the objecting party’s testimony period, or reopen discovery for that party, if necessary, to enable the objecting party to meet the evidence which was the subject of the objection. [ Note 2.]

NOTES:

 1.   Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(b); Ercona Corp. v. JENAer Glaswerk Schott & Gen., 182 USPQ 573, 574 (TTAB 1974).

 2.   Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(b). Cf. Buffett v. Chi Chi’s, Inc., 226 USPQ 428, 431 (TTAB 1985); Anheuser-Busch, Inc. v. Martinez, 185 USPQ 434, 435 (TTAB 1975); American Optical Corp. v. American Olean Tile Co., 168 USPQ 471, 473 (TTAB 1971).