611.01(b) Requirements for Signature
All correspondence that requires a signature must bear either a handwritten signature personally signed in permanent ink by the person named as the signatory, or an "electronic signature" that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.193(c), personally entered by the signatory. 37 C.F.R §2.193(a). The USPTO will accept a signature that meets the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.193(c) on all correspondence, whether included in a permitted paper submission (see TMEP §301.01) or in a submission through TEAS or the Electronic System for Trademark Trials and Appeals (ESTTA). 37 C.F.R. §2.193(a)(2). See TMEP §611.01(c) regarding the signature of documents filed electronically.
All documents must be personally signed or bear an electronic signature that was personally entered by the named signatory. 37 C.F.R. §2.193(a)(1), (c)(1). Another person (e.g., paralegal, legal assistant, secretary) may not sign or enter the name of an attorney or other authorized signatory. See In re Dermahose Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1793 (TTAB 2007) ; In re Cowan, 18 USPQ2d 1407 (Comm’r Pats. 1990).
The first and last name, and the title or position, of the person who signs a document must be set forth immediately below or adjacent to the signature. 37 C.F.R. §2.193(d). If the signatory’s name is not provided in full or set forth in a document, the USPTO will require that the signatory’s first and last name be stated for the record. This information can be entered through a Note to the File in the record.
Documents must be signed by a proper party. See TMEP §611.02 and §§611.03–611.03(i) for further information.
See TBMP §106.02 regarding signature of documents filed in Board proceedings, and §106.03 regarding the form of submissions in Board proceedings.