USPTO proposes making electronic filing mandatory for trademark submissions

The USPTO published a proposal to change federal trademark law to mandate electronic filing. See the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (link is external).

Overview of the proposed changes

The proposed changes would generally require trademark applicants and registrants to:

1. File trademark applications and documents concerning trademark applications and registrations online using the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).
2. Provide and maintain an accurate email address for receiving correspondence from the USPTO about a particular application or registration.

Our goal is to have end-to-end electronic processing of applications and registrations, resulting in faster processing times and fewer errors. Paper and fax submissions would no longer be accepted. Email submissions would continue to not be accepted.

Submit comments on the proposed changes

We are accepting comments from the public until July 30, 2018. See the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (link is external) for instructions on how to submit comments.
Read the public comments on our website or on the Federal eRulemaking Portal (link is external).