703.02(m) Depositions on Written Questions: Utility
A deposition on written questions is a cumbersome, time-consuming procedure. It requires that cross questions, redirect questions, recross questions, and objections all be framed and served before the questions on direct examination have even been answered. Moreover, it deprives an adverse party of the right to confront the witness and ask follow-up questions on cross-examination. [ Note 1.] See TBMP § 703.02(g).
Nevertheless, depositions on written questions have some utility. They may be the only means by which a deposition may be taken in a foreign country. [ Note 2.] See TBMP § 404.03(c) (discovery deposition of non-party residing in foreign country), TBMP § 703.01(b) (Form of Testimony), TBMP § 703.01(f)(3) (Unwilling Witness Residing in a Foreign Country), and TBMP § 703.02(a) (Depositions on Written Questions – When Available). Moreover, the deposition on written questions is generally less expensive than the deposition on oral examination and is usually more convenient for the witness.
NOTES:
1. See 37 C.F.R. § 2.124(d)(1). See also Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Century Life of America, 15 USPQ2d 1079, 1080 (TTAB 1990), corrected, 19 USPQ2d 1479 (TTAB 1990); Feed Flavors Inc. v. Kemin Industries, Inc., 209 USPQ 589, 591 (TTAB 1980); Fischer GmbH v. Molnar & Co., 203 USPQ 861, 866 (TTAB 1979); Orion Group Inc. v. Orion Insurance Co., 12 USPQ2d 1923, 1926 (TTAB 1989) (motion to take discovery deposition in foreign country orally).
2. See 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(c)(1), 37 C.F.R. § 2.123(a)(1) and 37 C.F.R. § 2.123(a)(2). Empresa Cubana Del Tabaco v. General Cigar Co., 2019 USPQ2d 227680, at *1 (TTAB 2019) (quoting TBMP 703.02(m)). Cf. Rosenruist-Gestao E Servicos LDA v. Virgin Enterprises Ltd., 511 F.3d 437, 85 USPQ2d 1385 (4th Cir. 2007), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 2508 (2008) (district court has the power to issue a subpoena for a trial deposition noticed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6), requiring a foreign corporate applicant to produce an appropriate representative in the United States for testimony on the subjects identified in the subpoena, regardless of the domicile of the representative).