709.07 Decorum Required in Communications with the Office
An applicant, registrant, attorney, or party is required to conduct their business before the Office with decorum and courtesy. See 37 C.F.R §2.192. The Office will review all oral or written communications received, but may decline to consider or respond to any communication containing abusive, offensive, threatening, or otherwise discourteous remarks directed to the Office or any of its staff. Similarly, Office staff may terminate any communication or other interaction if the person makes abusive, offensive, or threatening statements or engages in threatening or otherwise inappropriate behavior. See 37 C.F.R §2.192. In addition, documents may not be submitted to the Office for any improper purpose, such as for harassment or to delay or burden prosecution. 37 C.F.R §11.18(b)(2)(i).
If a document submitted in a trademark matter contains discourteous remarks, the examining attorney may refer it to the Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy for review. If it is determined that the document violates 37 C.F.R §2.192, the Office will send notice that the document will not be considered and remove the document from the application or registration file. If it is further determined that the document was submitted in violation of 37 C.F.R §11.18(b)(2)(i), the Office may take such other actions or sanctions as deemed appropriate. See 37 C.F.R §11.18(c). In addition, any threatening communications may be reported to the Federal Protective Service for further investigation.