702.01    Order of Examination

In general, applications are assigned for examination in the order in which they are received in the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"), unless the application is made "special."  See TMEP §702.02 regarding "special" applications. If a voluntary amendment is filed before the application is assigned for examination, it is placed in the record for consideration at the time the application is assigned to an examining attorney.

Generally, amended applications (i.e., applications that contain a response from the applicant), remands from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("Board"), and statements of use are also reviewed in the order in which they are received in the USPTO.

Examining attorneys should act on applications that have been suspended as soon as they are removed from suspension.  See TMEP §§716–716.06 regarding suspension.

Examining attorneys should immediately act on inquiries regarding applications approved for publication or issue that are returned to the examining attorney to take action or provide information.

Where appropriate, the managing attorney may direct that a particular case be given special handling.

When an examining attorney resigns, the examining attorney should spend any remaining time in the Office getting his or her amended cases (including statements of use under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d) and appeal briefs), especially those with involved records, ready for final disposition.