110.09(d) Service of ESTTA Filings
All papers filed in a Board inter partes proceeding must be served upon the other parties to the proceeding, and proof of service must be provided before the paper will be considered. [ Note 1.] Many of the ESTTA forms assist the filer by including a certificate of service as part of the ESTTA submission. In all other forms, the filer must include a certificate of service as an attachment (or as part of an attachment) to the ESTTA filing.
In addition to the requirement for a certificate of service, ESTTA papers, like all other Board filings, must actually be served upon the other parties to the proceeding in the manner designated. [ Note 2.] See TBMP §113 (Service of Papers). ESTTA does not automatically serve papers upon opposing parties or provide notice of their filing. [ Note 3.]
For a further discussion regarding the filing of a notice of opposition or a petition for cancellation via ESTTA and service requirement, see TBMP § 306.01 (notice of opposition); and TBMP § 307.01-TBMP § 307 .02 (petition for cancellation).
NOTES:
2. Springfield Inc. v. XD, 86 USPQ2d 1063, 1064 (TTAB 2008) ("The proof of service requirement assumes actual service on applicant, or its attorney or domestic representative of record, if any."). See also 37 CFR § 2.119(b) (acceptable means of service).
3. Equine Touch Foundation Inc. v. Equinology Inc., 91 USPQ2d 1943, 1944 n.5 (TTAB 2009) ("[a]ny plaintiff who files a complaint through ESTTA is viewed by the Board as having included proof of service with its pleading. Actual forwarding of the service copy, however, is the responsibility of the filer, as ESTTA does not effect service for the filer."); Schott AG v. Scott, 88 USPQ2d 1862, 1863 n.3 (TTAB 2008). See, e.g., Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG v. Flores, 91 USPQ 2d 1698, 1699 n.2 (TTAB 2009) (opposer filed notice of opposition via ESTTA and served copy thereof on applicant by first-class mail).