1208.03(c) Procedure When Interference Is to be Declared
If the Director grants a petition requesting an interference, the examining attorney must determine that each mark is registrable but for the interfering mark before the interference will be instituted. 37 C.F.R. §2.92.
All marks must be published for opposition before interference proceedings are instituted. Id. If possible, the marks should be published simultaneously.
Each application that is to be the subject of an interference must contain the following statement to be printed in the Official Gazette:
This application is being published subject to declaration of interference with:
Serial No.:
Filed:
Applicant:
(Address, if there is no attorney)
Attorney and Address:
Mark:
The examining attorney should prepare the statement.
If an application that is published subject to interference is opposed by a party other than the applicant(s) in the interfering application(s), the opposition will be determined first. If still necessary and appropriate, the interference will be instituted. If an opposition is filed by the applicant in the interfering application, the rights of the parties will be determined in the opposition proceeding, and the interference proceeding will not be instituted.
If, during the pendency of an interference, another application appears involving substantially the same registrable subject matter, the examining attorney may request suspension of the interference for the purpose of adding that application. If the application is not added, the examining attorney should suspend further action on the application pending termination of the interference proceeding. 37 C.F.R. §2.98.
See TBMP Chapter 1000.