120.03 Files of Terminated Proceedings
When an inter partes proceeding has been finally determined, i.e., when the proceeding is over (including the resolution of any direct court review), the Office takes certain further steps based on the final decision, including those steps necessary to give effect to the decision. This process is referred to as the "termination" of the proceeding. See TBMP § 806 (Termination of Proceeding).
The official records for all Board proceedings are now kept electronically. The electronic files of all Board proceedings continue to remain available online through TTABVUE after termination.
Pursuant to the National Archives retention schedule, terminated inter partes proceeding file records are transferred to the National Archives after 5 years for permanent retention.
The paper files of cancelled and expired registrations were scheduled to be destroyed three years after the date of cancellation or expiration. The paper files of abandoned applications were scheduled to be destroyed three years after the date of abandonment. In addition, the paper files of terminated opposition proceedings numbered from 30,000 through 53,999, and of terminated cancellation proceedings numbered from 1 through 9399, have been destroyed.
An individual who wishes to inspect or copy a paper file is directed to the National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/research.