1904.01(i)    Requirement for Representation Based on Domicile of §66(a) Applicant

Foreign-domiciled applicants must be represented before the USPTO by a qualified U.S. attorney. An applicant whose domicile is not located within the United States or its territories (see TMEP §§601.01, 601.01(b)–(b)(1) regarding domicile) must 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 (see TMEP §602 regarding persons authorized to practice before the USPTO in trademark matters). 37 C.F.R. §§2.11(a), 7.25(a); see TMEP §602. See TMEP §601.01 regarding determining domicile and the examination procedure for requiring representation of foreign-domiciled applicants.

Attorney identification information required. If the applicant is represented by an attorney qualified under 37 C.F.R. §11.14  or is required to appoint such an attorney under 37 C.F.R. §2.11(a)  due to its foreign domicile, an applicant must include the individual attorney’s name, postal address, email address, and bar information. 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(b)(3), 2.32(a)(4), 7.25(a). See TMEP §602.01(a) regarding the requirement for attorney identification information.

The first Office action will generally include requirements to appoint a qualified U.S. attorney and to provide his or her bar information and postal and email addresses because there currently are no provisions for designating such an attorney, attorney’s bar information, or postal and email addresses in a request for extension of protection received from the IB. See 37 C.F.R. §§2.11(a), 2.23(b), 2.32(a)(4), 7.25(a); TMEP §601. In addition, if the record is not clear that the applicant’s domicile address is outside the United States, the first action will also include a requirement for the domicile address. See TMEP §§601.01-601.01(b)(1). However, if the application is otherwise in condition for approval for publication upon first action, the application can be approved without requiring the §66(a) applicant to appoint a U.S.-licensed attorney and provide his or her bar information and postal and email addresses prior to publication.