311.03 Reply to Answer Should Not be Filed
Although 37 C.F.R. § 2.106(b) and 37 C.F.R. § 2.114(b) require that an answer to a counterclaim be filed within the time designated by the Board, they specifically provide that a reply to an affirmative defense need not be filed. [ Note 1.] Similarly, Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a) provides that there shall be a complaint and an answer and a reply to a counterclaim denominated as such; that certain other specified pleadings, not relevant to Board proceedings (and not including a reply to an answer), shall be allowed; but that "[o]nly these pleadings are allowed," except that the court may order a reply to an answer.
Thus, although a plaintiff must file an answer to a counterclaim, a reply to an answer need not, and should not, be filed.
NOTES:
1. See 37 C.F.R. § 2.106(b)(2), 37 C.F.R. § 2.106(b)(3)(iii), 37 C.F.R. § 2.114(b)(2), and 37 C.F.R. § 2.114(b)(3)(iii).