212.05 Action by Board -- During Consideration of Amendment by TMO
The filing and pendency of an amendment will be considered good cause for extensions of time to oppose under 37 CFR § 2.102(c)(1) or 37 CFR § 2.102(c)(2) (extensions up to 120 days from the date of publication), but it will not constitute extraordinary circumstances justifying an extension of time under 37 CFR § 2.102(c)(3) (extension 120-180 days from publication). See TBMP § 207.03. The Board will not suspend the time for filing an opposition or subsequent extension pending consideration of an amendment. See TBMP § 209.01.
If a timely opposition is filed while an amendment is still pending before the Trademark Operation, the Board will institute the opposition. Upon the motion of either party, the Board will usually grant a motion to suspend the opposition pending consideration of the amendment by the Trademark Operation.
In situations where the potential opposer files the notice of opposition electronically using ESTTA, the potential opposer should file the notice of opposition first and wait to receive an opposition number. (Most ESTTA-filed oppositions are instituted automatically within minutes of successful filing.) After the opposition number has been received and a proceeding number assigned, the potential opposer should then file a separate motion to suspend the opposition, citing the pendency of an amendment as grounds for seeking a suspension of proceedings.