204.02   Resubmission of Applications  

The USPTO prefers that all applications be filed through TEAS.  However, if the USPTO denies a filing date in a paper application, the applicant may resubmit the original papers or a copy of the original papers, together with the item(s) necessary to correct the defect(s), and a new filing fee.  The applicant should cross off the cancelled serial number.  A filing fee for at least a single class of goods or services must be included when the applicant resubmits an application, even if the applicant has not yet received a refund of the fee previously submitted.

The new filing date will be the date on which a complete application, including all elements required by 37 C.F.R. §2.21(a), is received in the USPTO.  Note that applications claiming priority under §44(d) of the Trademark Act must meet all filing date requirements within six months of the filing date of the foreign application.  37 C.F.R. §2.34(a)(4)(i); TMEP §§806.01(c) and 1003.02.

If an applicant believes that the USPTO committed an error in denying the application a filing date, the applicant may submit a request to restore the filing date.  See TMEP §1711.  The USPTO prefers that the applicant file a new application, including the required application filing fee, using TEAS, located at http://www.uspto.gov.  After the applicant receives a new serial number, the applicant should submit a request to restore the original filing date.  To ensure proper routing and processing, the Office prefers that the request also be filed electronically.  In TEAS, the Request to Restore Filing Date form can be accessed by clicking on the link entitled "Petition Forms."  Alternatively, the request should be faxed to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy at 571-273-8950.

The request should:  (1) include the new serial number; (2) state the reason(s) why the applicant believes the filing date was denied in error; and (3) include a copy of any Notice of Incomplete Trademark Application received from the USPTO.  Although applicants have two (2) months from the issuance date of a Notice of Incomplete Trademark Application to file a request to restore the original filing date (37 C.F.R. §2.146(d)), it is recommended that the applicant file the request immediately upon receipt of the new serial number, to expedite processing.