707.03(a)    In General

As in the case of an objection to a notice of reliance, an objection to trial testimony must be raised promptly if the defect is one that can be obviated or removed, failing which it is deemed waived. [ Note 1.] Parties are discouraged from filing objections that are not outcome-determinative or that do not have an effect on either their own or their adversary’s position. [ Note 2.] The objections, which are waived unless promptly raised, are basically procedural in nature. Objections to trial testimony are not waived for failure to make them during or before the taking of the deposition, provided that the ground for objection is not one that might have been obviated or removed if presented at that time. These objections are basically substantive in nature. The grounds for objection to trial testimony and the procedures for raising them are discussed below.

NOTES:

 1.   See, e.g., Nahshin v. Product Source International LLC, 107 USPQ2d 1257, 1259 (TTAB 2013) (objections to portions of depositions on written questions deemed waived), aff’d, 112 F. Supp.3d 383 (E.D. Va. 2015).

 2.   See, e.g., UMG Recordings Inc. v. Mattel Inc., 100 USPQ2d 1868, 1875-77 (despite stipulations, opposer filed 25 pages of objections and applicant filed 100 pages of objections, essentially subverting the steps taken to streamline the process and burdening the Board; Board further set out specific objections as examples of what it overruled); Carefirst of Maryland Inc. v. FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc., 77 USPQ2d 1492, 1501 (TTAB 2005) ("At the oral hearing, pursuant to the Board's inquiry, counsel indicated that none of the objected-to evidence is outcome determinative. Several of the parties’ objections merely reiterate what was raised in their motions to strike, and, thus, these evidentiary issues have already been handled above in deciding the various motions. … The parties spent an inordinate amount of effort on evidentiary disputes. The gamesmanship during discovery, which then carried over into certain aspects of the trial phase, is breathtaking, and both sides are guilty of participating in this wasteful behavior.").