802.05    Length of Oral Argument

Ordinarily, each party in a Board inter partes proceeding is allowed 30 minutes for its oral argument. If it so desires, the plaintiff may reserve part of its 30 minutes for rebuttal. [ Note 1.] No additional time for oral argument is allotted for counterclaims or consolidated proceedings. Accordingly, if there is a counterclaim, the defendant, as the plaintiff in the counterclaim, may also reserve part of its 30 minutes for rebuttal on the counterclaim.

There is no requirement that a party use all of its allotted 30 minutes for oral argument. Often a case may be presented in considerably less than 30 minutes.

On the other hand, if a party feels that it needs more than 30 minutes for oral argument, it may file a request with the Board for additional time. [ Note 2.] If the request is granted, each party will be allowed the same amount of time for oral argument. For information concerning requests or motions for additional time for oral argument, see TBMP § 541.02.

NOTES:

 1.   37 C.F.R. § 2.129(a).

 2.   See 37 C.F.R. § 2.129(a); U.S. Navy v. United States Manufacturing Co., 2 USPQ2d 1254, 1255 (TTAB 1987) (additional time for arguments allowed in view of voluminous record).