1705.07(a) Requirement for Representation of Non-U.S.-domiciled Petitioner
A petitioner’s domicile will determine whether the petitioner is required to be represented before the USPTO by an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, Commonwealth, or territory or the District of Columbia (a qualified U.S. attorney). 37 C.F.R. §§2.11(a), 11.1, 11.14(e); TMEP §601. A petitioner whose domicile is not located within the United States or its territories must be represented by a qualified U.S. attorney. 37 C.F.R. §2.11(a); TMEP §601. See TMEP §601.01 regarding determining domicile and §602 regarding persons authorized to practice before the USPTO in trademark matters.
If the USPTO receives a petition filed by an unrepresented foreign domiciliary, an attorney or paralegal in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy will follow the procedures in TMEP §601.01(a) and grant the petitioner 60 days to appoint a qualified U.S. attorney and to supplement the petition, as appropriate. If the petitioner does not appoint a qualified U.S. attorney and submit any additional necessary information within the time allowed, the petition will be denied.
1705.07(b) Signature of Petition
Regardless of the type of petition, if it appears that a petition (or a response accompanying a petition) was signed by an improper or excluded party, the staff attorney or paralegal reviewing the petition will follow the procedures in TMEP §611.05 for processing documents signed by unauthorized parties.
Petitions to the Director under Trademark Rule 2.146 and/or 2.147. See 37 C.F.R. §2.193(e)(5) and TMEP §611.03(e) regarding persons who may sign petitions to the Director and TMEP §§611.06–611.06(h) for guidelines on persons with legal authority to bind various types of legal entities.
Petitions to the Director under Trademark Rule 2.146 and/or 2.147 are often accompanied by separate verifications. See TMEP §611.03(a) regarding who may sign verifications.
Petitions to Revive under Trademark Rule 2.66. See TMEP §611.03(d) and §1714.01(e) regarding who may sign petitions to revive and TMEP §611.03(b) regarding who may sign a response to an Office action, if one is provided with the petition.
See also TMEP §611.01(c) regarding signature of documents filed electronically.