527.01(d) In the Case of Requests for Admission
The entry of sanctions for failure to respond, or respond properly, to requests for admission is governed by 37 C.F.R. §2.120(i) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 36, except that the Board will not award expenses to any party. [ Note 1.] See TBMP § 502.05.
If a party upon which requests for admission have been served fails to serve a timely response thereto, the requests will stand admitted (automatically), and may be relied upon by the propounding party pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(k)(3)(1), unless the party upon which the requests were served is able to show that its failure to timely respond was the result of excusable neglect; or unless a motion to withdraw or amend the admissions is filed pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(b), and granted by the Board. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b) and 36(a) and TBMP § 407.03(a). When no response has been served, it is not necessary or appropriate for the propounding party to file a motion to deem the requests admitted. For information concerning motions to withdraw or amend admissions, see TBMP § 525.
If a party upon which requests for admission have been served responds by serving answers and/or objections thereto, and the propounding party believes that one or more of the answers and/or objections is insufficient, the propounding party may file a motion with the Board to determine the sufficiency of the answers and/or objections believed to be insufficient. [ Note 2.] If the Board determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(a), it may order either that the matter is deemed admitted or that an amended answer be served. If the Board determines that an objection is not justified, it will order that an answer be served. [ Note 3.] For information concerning motions to determine the sufficiency of answers or objections to requests for admission, see TBMP § 524.
NOTES:
1. See 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(i).
2. See 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(i); Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(a); Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft v. Ridewell Corp., 188 USPQ 690, 691 (TTAB 1975); Watercare Corp. v. Midwesco-Enterprise, Inc., 171 USPQ 696, 697 n.7 (TTAB 1971).
3. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(a).