604.04 Change of Attorney
Once the USPTO recognizes a qualified U.S. attorney as the representative of an applicant or registrant, a new qualified U.S. attorney from a different firm is not permitted to represent the applicant or registrant until:
- (1) the applicant or registrant revokes the previous power of attorney;
- (2) the applicant or registrant submits a new power of attorney naming the new qualified U.S. attorney;
- (3) recognition of the previously recognized U.S. attorney has been deemed to end pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.17(g); or
- (4) the previously recognized U.S. attorney withdraws or has been suspended or excluded from practicing in trademark matters before the USPTO.
37 C.F.R. §2.18(a)(2), 11.15. Until such action is taken, the new qualified U.S. attorney cannot sign responses to Office actions, authorize issuance of examiner’s amendments or priority actions, expressly abandon an application, authorize a change of correspondence address, or otherwise represent the applicant or registrant. See 37 C.F.R. §2.17(a).
If an applicant or registrant is already represented by a qualified U.S. attorney, and a new qualified U.S. attorney from a different firm wishes to take action with respect to the application or registration, the new attorney must file a revocation of the previous power of attorney and/or a new power of attorney naming the new qualified U.S. attorney, signed by the individual applicant or registrant or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant or registrant (e.g., a corporate officer or general partner of a partnership), before the USPTO will accept filings by or correspond with the new attorney. See 37 C.F.R. §2.18(a)(2). The new attorney may not sign the revocation of the previous power. See 37 C.F.R. §2.17(c) and TMEP §605.01 regarding requirements for power of attorney, §606 regarding revocation of power of attorney, and §607 regarding withdrawal of attorney of record
Absent a revocation and/or new power, if the new qualified U.S. attorney signs a response, amendment, or request to change the correspondence address, the USPTO will treat this as a document filed by an improper party and follow the procedures in TMEP §§611.05–611.05(c).
See TMEP §604.03 regarding duration of recognition of an attorney or registrant.
See TBMP §§114–114.08 regarding representation of parties to Board proceedings, and TBMP §§117–117.02 regarding correspondence in Board proceedings.