The USPTO is currently undertaking an initiative to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Trademark Register and as part of this initiative, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) recently began piloting a program exploring the effectiveness of an expedited cancellation proceeding regarding two types of challenges to registered trademarks.
Under the pilot program, the TTAB identifies newly-filed cancellation proceedings limited to abandonment or nonuse claims that may benefit from the TTAB’s existing Accelerated Case Resolution (ACR) procedures. The TTAB already offers ACR in inter parties proceedings to simplify and speed up proceedings which allows the parties to save time and expenses. The standards of proof in an ACR proceeding are the same as traditional proceedings and a final decision rendered under an ACR proceeding may be appealed in the same way and under the same timelines as non-ACR decisions.
Through this program, the TTAB hopes to learn which cases can be expedited earlier on in their life cycles in order to speed up proceedings for the parties to get a decision faster. A party can participate in the pilot program even if the TTAB did not initially identify the case as eligible by notifying the Interlocutory Attorney assigned to the case.
We are available to discuss how this new development of the USPTO TTAB’s Expedited Cancellation Pilot Program can benefit your business. Contact us today, click here to email us or call 860.266.1779.
