Public Law Monitor

New rule requires trademark applicants and registrants to have a U.S.-licensed attorney

July 2, 2019

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a new rule in the Federal Register requiring foreign-domiciled trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings to be represented by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the United States.

This rule becomes effective on August 3.

The requirement applies to all trademark…

A New High for Cannabis-Related Trade and Service Marks

May 2, 2019

Following enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) released a new Trademark Examination Guide for marks covering cannabis and cannabis-related goods and services. Specifically, the Examination Guide addresses the availability of federal registration for products containing hemp-derived CBD, which were recently removed from the list of controlled…