302.01    Duplicate Documents Should Not Be Filed

37 C.F.R. §2.193(g)(2)  Separate copies for separate files.

Parties should not file duplicate copies of documents in a single application, registration, or proceeding file, unless the Office requires the filing of duplicate copies.

As a general rule, only one copy of a document should be filed, unless more than one copy is specifically required by statute or rule, or a USPTO employee specifically requests more than one copy.

When submitting a document electronically, or by fax, a party should not send a follow-up copy unless the USPTO specifically requests one.  37 C.F.R. §2.193(g)(2).  Submission of duplicate documents can delay processing. See In re Allegiance Staffing, 115 USPQ2d 1319, 1323 (TTAB 2015) (discouraging the submission of duplicate filings because "it merely adds to the bulk of the file and makes it more difficult to review the submissions").