The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has declared a new rule with regards to all foreign based trademark applicants, registrants and parties to the “Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)” actions to be performed by an attorney who are certified and/or have a license to practice law in the United States (US).

The new rule has taken effect as of August 3, 2019.

The new rule is applied to all trademark applicants, registrants, and parties whose legal residence or dominant place is outside of the US. Such parties will need a US licensed attorney to be represented before the USPTO in all trademark matters.

In case where the mentioned parties are not represented by a licenced attorney from the US, TTAB will put the proceedings aside and will stand in need for a US licensed attorney.

In light of the new rule, we advise our clients, having their principal business outside of US but operating in USA, should contact us for guidance as soon as possible given the fact that the rule is already implemented.

Should you or one of your team members need further information on this, please contact us at dubai@unitedtm.com