903.01    Notice Of Civil Action

37 C.F.R. § 2.145(c)(3)  The party initiating an action for review of a Board decision in an inter partes case under section 21(b) of the Act must file notice thereof with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board via ESTTA no later than five business days after filing the complaint in the district court. The notice must identify the civil action with particularity by providing the case name, case number, and court in which it was filed. A copy of the complaint may be filed with the notice. Failure to file the required notice can result in termination of the Board proceeding and further action within the United States Patent and Trademark Office consistent with the final Board decision.

A party which commences a civil action, under Trademark Act § 21(b), 15 U.S.C. § 1071(b)  seeking review of a decision of the Board should file written notice thereof with the Board no later than five business days after filing the complaint in the district court. The notice to the Board must be filed through ESTTA. Failure to notify the Board of the commencement of the civil action may result in premature termination of the proceeding. [ Note 1.] That is, if the Board is unaware of the commencement of the civil action, the Board will treat its own decision as final, and will take steps, based on such judgment, to close out the proceeding file and give effect to its judgment. See TBMP § 806. When review of a decision in ex parte appeal is sought by way of a civil action in district court, the applicant should select the ESTTA button "Appeal to District Court." For review of an inter partes decision, the party should select the ESTTA button "Review of Order or Decision of the Board."

NOTES:

 1.   See 37 C.F.R. § 2.145(c)(3).