1712.02(a)    Request for Reinstatement Due to Office Error

A registrant may file a request to reinstate a cancelled or expired registration if the registrant has proof that a USPTO error caused the registration to be cancelled or expired. 37 C.F.R §2.64(b).  There is no fee for a request for reinstatement.  However, to ensure proper routing and processing, the USPTO prefers that the request be filed electronically using the "Petition to the Director under Trademark Rule 2.146" form, which can be accessed at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/petition_forms.jsp. Although a petition fee is required in order to file the form, it will be refunded if USPTO error is found.

The following are examples of situations where the USPTO may reinstate a cancelled or expired registration (see 37 C.F.R §2.64(b)(2) ):

  • (1) The registrant presents proof that a proper affidavit or renewal application was timely filed through TEAS, in the form of a copy of a TEAS "Success" page confirming receipt of the document ( see TMEP §303.02(a)) or a copy of an e-mail confirmation issued by the USPTO that includes the date of receipt and a summary of the TEAS submission.
  • (2) There is an image of a timely filed affidavit, renewal application, or response to Office action in TICRS.
  • (3) The timely filed affidavit, renewal application, or response to Office action is found in the USPTO.
  • (4) The registrant supplies a copy of the affidavit under §8 or §71, renewal application under §9, or response to Office action, with proof that it was timely mailed to the USPTO in accordance with the certificate of mailing requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.197  (for the specific requirements for providing proof, see TMEP §305.02(f)).
  • (5) The registrant supplies a copy of the affidavit under §8 or §71, renewal application under §9, or response to Office action, with proof that it was timely transmitted to the USPTO by fax in accordance with the certificate of transmission requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.197  (for the specific requirements for providing proof, see TMEP §306.05(d)).
  • (6) The registrant presents proof of actual receipt in the USPTO in the form of a return postcard showing a timely USPTO date stamp or label, on which the registrant specifically refers to the §8 affidavit, §71 affidavit, §9 renewal application, or response ( see TMEP §303.02(c)).
  • (7) The registrant presents proof of actual receipt in the USPTO in the form of evidence that a USPTO employee signed for or acknowledged the envelope (e.g., a certified mail receipt that bears a USPTO date stamp or label, or the signature of a USPTO employee), accompanied by an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20  attesting to the contents of the envelope.
  • (8) The document that became lost was accompanied by a fee, and there is proof that the USPTO processed the fee (e.g., a cancelled check).  The registrant must submit an affidavit or declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20  attesting to the contents of the original filing.
  • (9) The USPTO sent an Office action to the wrong address due to a USPTO error, i.e., the USPTO either entered the correspondence address incorrectly or failed to enter a proper notice of change of address filed before the issuance date of the action.

The registrant must file a request for reinstatement by not later than two months after the issue date of the notice of cancellation/expiration. 37 C.F.R §2.64(b)(1)(i). If the registrant did not receive a notice of cancellation/expiration or the Office did not issue a notice, the registrant must file the request by not later than two months after the date of actual knowledge of the cancellation/expiration and not later than six months after the date the trademark electronic records system indicates that the registration is cancelled/expired. 37 C.F.R §2.64(b)(1)(ii). The request must also include a properly signed declaration under 37 C.F.R §2.20  or 28 U.S.C. §1746  stating that the registrant did not receive the notice of cancellation/expiration if one was issued. Id.  

The Director has no authority to waive a statutory requirement, such as the deadline for filing a proper renewal application under 15 U.S.C. §1059   or affidavit of use of a registered mark under 15 U.S.C. §1058.  Checkers Drive-In Rest's. Inc. v. Comm'r of Patents & Trademarks, 51 F.3d 1078, 1085, 34 USPQ2d 1574, 1581 (D.C. App. 1995), cert. denied 516 U.S. 866 (1995); In re Holland Am. Wafer Co., 737 F.2d 1015, 1018, 222 USPQ 273, 275 (Fed. Cir. 1984).  Therefore, if the registrant did not timely file a §8 affidavit, §71 affidavit, or §9 renewal application, a request to reinstate a cancelled or expired registration will be dismissed, regardless of the reason for the delay, as the Director lacks authority to grant such a petition.