403    USPTO Correspondence Returned as Undeliverable

USPTO error. If the USPTO issued correspondence to the wrong address (e.g., if the USPTO entered the correspondence address of record incorrectly or did not enter a proper previously filed request to change the correspondence address), the USPTO may reissue the Office action or notice with a new response period if the applicant notifies the USPTO prior to the expiration of any deadline for response. If there is no time remaining in the response period, the applicant may request reinstatement. See TMEP §1712.

No USPTO error. If the USPTO issued correspondence to the correct address, the correspondence will not be reissued. If there is no time remaining in the response period, the applicant may file a petition to revive the application (see TMEP §1714) or a petition to the Director regarding the cancelled and/or expired registration (see TMEP §1712.02).

Applicants and registrants are responsible for maintaining a valid email address for correspondence. 37 C.F.R. §2.23(b); TMEP §609.03. See TMEP §§609.02-609.02(f) regarding changing the correspondence address.

In addition, trademark applicants and registrants are required to monitor the status of their applications or registrations every six months between the filing of an application or of a maintenance submission (i.e., an affidavit under Trademark Act §8 or §71, or a renewal application under Trademark Act §9) and the issuance of a registration or notice of acceptance. 37 C.F.R. §2.23(d). See TMEP §108.03 and §1705.05 regarding due diligence and the duty to monitor status. Should the status inquiry reveal that no action has been taken regarding correspondence that was submitted, or that some other problem exists, the applicant or registrant must promptly request corrective action in accordance with the procedures in TMEP §1705.05. Failure to act diligently and follow up with appropriate action may result in denial of the requested relief.

See TMEP §717 regarding reissuing Office actions and §717.01 regarding outgoing correspondence returned as undeliverable. See TMEP §§1712.01–1712.02(a) regarding requesting reinstatement of applications and registrations abandoned due to USPTO error, §1712(b) regarding filing a petition to the Director regarding a cancelled/expired registration, and §1714 regarding filing a petition to revive an abandoned application.