110.01(a)    ESTTA is Mandatory for All Filings

Use of ESTTA is required for the filing of all submissions in Board proceedings. [ Note 1.]

Use of ESTTA previously had been mandatory only for the filing of either (1) extensions of time to oppose Madrid Protocol applications, i.e., applications under Trademark Act § 66(a), 15 U.S.C. § 1141f(a), or (2) notices of opposition against Madrid Protocol applications. [ Note 2.] The requirement for use of ESTTA for such filings enables the USPTO to fulfill its obligation to timely notify the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization of oppositions against requests for extension of protection under the Madrid Protocol. A request for an extension of time to oppose a Madrid Protocol application which is not filed through ESTTA will be denied in all circumstances. [ Note 3.] Similarly, a notice of opposition not filed through ESTTA against such an application will not be instituted under any circumstances. [ Note 4.] For a further discussion of filing notices of opposition against Madrid Protocol applications using ESTTA, see TBMP § 306.01.

In the rare circumstances the rules permit submissions in paper form, the paper submission must be accompanied by a written explanation showing that ESTTA was unavailable due to technical problems, or that extraordinary circumstances are present, and, where required, a Petition to the Director with the requisite petition fee. [ Note 5.] Petitions to file on paper are subject to 37 C.F.R. §2.146(a), including the requirement for verified facts.

NOTES:

 1.   See 37 C.F.R. § 2.126(a)  (submissions must be made through ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.101(b)  (notices of opposition must be filed through ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.102(a)(1)  (extensions of time to oppose must be filed in ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.102(a)(2)  (extensions of time to oppose Trademark Act § 66(a) applications must be filed through ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.101(b)(2)  (notice of opposition against § 66(a) application must be filed through ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.111(c)(1)  (petition to cancel must be filed through ESTTA).

 2.   See 37 C.F.R. § 2.126  (Form of Submissions to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board); 37 C.F.R. § 2.102(a)(2)  (extensions of time to oppose Trademark Act § 66(a), 15 U.S.C. § 1141f(a)  applications must be filed through ESTTA); 37 C.F.R. § 2.101(b)(2)  (notice of opposition against § 66(a) application must be filed through ESTTA). See, e.g., CSC Holdings LLC v. SAS Optimhome, 99 USPQ2d 1959, 1960 (TTAB 2011) (opposition to § 66(a) application must be filed via ESTTA); Hunt Control Systems Inc. v. Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., 98 USPQ2d 1558, 1561 (TTAB 2011) (same); O.C. Seacrets Inc. v. Hotelplan Italia S.p.A., 95 USPQ2d 1327, 1328 n.2 (TTAB 2010) (same).

 3.   In re Börlind Gesellschaft für kosmetische Erzeugnisse mbH, 73 USPQ2d 2019, 2020-21 (TTAB 2005).

 4.   See In re Börlind Gesellschaft für kosmetische Erzeugnisse mbH, 73 USPQ2d 2019, 2020-21 (TTAB 2005).

 5.   37 C.F.R. § 2.101(b)(2), 37 C.F.R. § 2.102(a)(2), 37 C.F.R. § 2.111(c)(2), 37 C.F.R. § 2.126(b).