210    Objection to Request

Since a request for an extension of time to oppose is ex parte in nature, there is no requirement that a copy has to be served upon the applicant. See TBMP § 203.04.For the same reason, an applicant is not notified of the filing of an extension request before the Board has acted on it. The Board’s action on the extension request constitutes notice to the applicant of the extension request, a copy of which may be viewed at http://ttabvue.uspto.gov.

An applicant may learn of the filing of an extension request, and file an objection thereto, before applicant receives notice from the Board of the request. This may happen, for example, when a potential opposer serves a courtesy copy of the request upon applicant. If the Board receives an objection before it acts upon the request, the Board will consider the objection. If the objection isreceived after action on the request, and the request has been granted, the objection will be treated as a request for reconsideration.

However, ESTTA automatically processes requests for extension of time to oppose within minutes of filing. Consequently, it is rare for an applicant to learn of an extension request in time to file an objection prior to Board action on it. Accordingly, an applicant that receives notification from the Board that an extension request has been filed and granted may submit objections in the form of a request for reconsideration. See TBMP § 211.01 (Request for Reconsideration).

An applicant who receives notification from the Board that a request for extension of time to oppose has been granted may submit an objection to the granting of any further extensions of time to the potential opposer. In such a case, the objection will be considered by the Board in determining any subsequent request for an extension of time to oppose filed by the potential opposer. If the Board does not receive an objection until after the Board has granted a subsequent extension request, the objection will be treated as a request for reconsideration of the Board’s action.

Any submission objecting to a request for an extension of time to oppose, or to the granting of any further extensions of time to oppose, should state clearly the reasons for objection. There is no requirement that the submission be served upon the potential opposer. If there is no indication that service has been made, the Board will send potential opposer a copy of the submission together with the Board’s action on the extension request, or, if the submission is treated by the Board as a request for reconsideration, with the Board’s action on the request for reconsideration.

Currently, there is not an ESTTA form for filing an objection. Consequently, the filing must be made in paper form. Until an ESTTA form is available, a paper-filed objection is an exception to the requirement that all submissions to the Board be filed through ESTTA.