802.03(a) Rescheduling a Hearing
If the Board is prevented from hearing the case at the time specified in the notice of hearing, a new hearing date will be set. [ Note 1.] The Board will reschedule an oral hearing, at the request of the parties, if there is a reasonable basis for the request; but, absent compelling circumstances or the consent of all other parties, a hearing date will not be changed if the request for rescheduling is made within two weeks of the scheduled hearing date. A party who wishes to reschedule an oral hearing with the consent of all parties must first determine at least three agreed-upon, non-consecutive dates and times, and file through ESTTA a written stipulation or consented motion confirming the parties’ agreement to reschedule, and the proposed three new dates and times. The agreed-upon dates must be between four and eight weeks from the mailing date of the Board scheduling order setting the original hearing date. The parties should also contact the Board’s Hearing and Decisions Program Specialist by telephone to provide notification of the filed stipulation or consented motion to reschedule. If the parties agree to reschedule an oral hearing due to settlement negotiations, they should request that proceedings, including the time for oral hearing, be suspended pending completion of the negotiations. If agreement cannot be reached, the party that wishes to have the hearing reset must file through ESTTA a motion therefor showing good cause. [ Note 2.] Parties should not file repeated requests to reschedule an oral hearing. The Board may deny a request to reschedule a hearing date for lack of good cause or if multiple requests for rescheduling have been filed. [ Note 3.]
NOTES:
2. See 37 C.F.R § 2.129(b).
3. 37 C.F.R § 2.129(b). MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TO TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD RULES OF PRACTICE, 81 Fed. Reg. 69950, 69968 (October 7, 2016).