New USPTO Requirement: Mandatory Electronic Trademark Submissions and Physical Addresses
On Tuesday July 31, 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued new Rules and Regulations under Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 2, and 7. They were to take effect on December 21, 2019, but will now take effect of February 15, 2020.
The impact of the rule, as implemented, is a new requirement for all trademark applicants and registrants to:
- electronically file trademark applications, subsequent documents concerning trademark applications, and documents regarding registrations;
- provide and maintain a working e-mail address for receiving correspondence from the USPTO for each trademark application and registration; and
- provide and maintain an accurate domicile address as a backup for the USPTO to contact if an e-mail correspondence address fails to work.