602.01(b)    Invalid Attorney Identification Information

If a submission includes clearly invalid attorney identification information (e.g., John Doe, a series of question marks or letters/numerals, a single name, or the word "test"), the listed attorney does not appear to be a qualified U.S.-licensed attorney, or the listed attorney has not consented to represent the applicant, the examining attorney or post- registration specialist must issue an Office action notifying the applicant or registrant that the listed attorney does not appear to be a qualified practitioner. In such cases, correspondence must be sent directly to the applicant or registrant at the address specified in the initial application or post-registration maintenance document. An examining attorney or post-registration specialist may be instructed to remove the attorney identification information from the correspondence section of the Trademark database and enter the applicant’s or registrant’s address. In addition, for a foreign-domiciled applicant, any Office action issued must make requirements for appointment of a qualified U.S. attorney and domicile information, if applicable.

If the attorney identification information appears valid, but circumstances call into question the veracity of the information, the examining attorney or post-registration staff must (1) remove the attorney identification information from the correspondence section of the Trademark database and enter the applicant’s or registrant’s address, and (2) issue an Office action notifying the applicant or registrant that the listed attorney does not appear to be a qualified U.S. attorney or has not consented to represent the applicant or registrant. In addition, the Office action must include a requirement for the attorney’s identification information (including bar credentials) if appropriate, and, for a foreign-domiciled applicant, requirements for appointment of a qualified U.S. attorney and domicile information, if applicable.

See TMEP §601.01 regarding the requirement to provide the owner’s domicile and for foreign domiciliaries to appoint a qualified U.S. attorney to represent them at the USPTO.