204.02    Resubmission of Applications and Request to Restore Filing Date

If the 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. Prior to making the request, the applicant must file a new TEAS application. After the applicant receives a new serial number, the applicant must submit a TEAS Request to Restore Filing Date form that can be accessed by clicking on the link entitled "Petition Forms."

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.

Permitted Paper Applications. If the USPTO denies a filing date in a permitted paper application (see TMEP §301.01), 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 filing date will be the date on which a complete application, including all elements required by 37 C.F.R §2.21(a), was received in the USPTO. 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 to retain the priority claim. 37 C.F.R §2.34(a)(4)(i); TMEP §§806.01(c), 1003.02.