411.02    Interrogatories or Requests for Production

If any party fails to answer any interrogatory, the party seeking discovery may file a motion with the Board for an order to compel an answer. [ Note 1.] Similarly, if any party fails to produce and permit the inspection and copying of any document or thing, the party seeking discovery may file a motion for an order to compel production and an opportunity to inspect and copy. [ Note 2.] A motion to compel responses to interrogatories or requests for production must be filed before the day of the deadline for pretrial disclosures for the first testimony period as originally set or as reset. [ Note 3.] The party seeking interrogatory responses or production of documents may not seek immediate entry of sanctions for no response unless the responding party has expressly informed the inquiring party that no response will be made to the discovery requests. [ Note 4.]

For information concerning motions to compel, see TBMP § 523.

NOTES:

 1.   37 C.F.R. § 2.120(f).

 2.   37 C.F.R. § 2.120(f). Cf. Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(3)(B).

 3.   37 C.F.R. §2.120(f)(1). See also MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TO TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD RULES OF PRACTICE; CLARIFICATION, 82 Fed. Reg. 33804 (July 21, 2017).

 4.   37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h)(2). Cf. Kairos Institute of Sound Healing LLC v. Doolittle Gardens LLC, 88 USPQ2d 1541, 1543 (TTAB 2008) (regarding disclosures); HighBeam Marketing LLC v. Highbeam Research LLC, 85 USPQ2d 1902, 1906 (TTAB 2008) ("Under Trademark Rule 2.120(g)(2), if a party witness fails to attend a discovery deposition after receiving proper notice, and such party or the party’s attorney or other authorized representative informs the party seeking discovery that no such attendance will take place, the Board may enter sanctions against that party."). Please Note: Effective January 14, 2017, 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(g) has been redesignated by amendment to 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h).